Prime Minister

Communications Data and Interception Powers Review

Tom Watson: To ask the Prime Minister, when he plans to lay a copy of the report on investigatory powers by David Anderson QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, under section 7(5) of the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014.

Mr David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement I made on 11 June 2015, Official Report, column 42WS.

Iraq Committee of Inquiry

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Prime Minister, what information he holds on work undertaken or progress made by the Chilcot Inquiry since January 2015; whether that inquiry (a) has received or (b) will receive public funds in respect of the period from January to June 2015; and when he next plans to next update the House on progress with that inquiry.

Mr David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave it him on 9 June 2015, UIN 1272.

Department for Work and Pensions

Public Sector: Pensions

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on long-term returns to the public purse of fossil fuel divestment by public sector pension funds.

Justin Tomlinson: Most public sector pension schemes are unfunded and do not therefore make investments. The only major public sector pension scheme that makes investments is the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Investment decisions are taken locally by each of the 89 pension fund authorities in England and Wales with regard to the policies set out in their Statement of Investment Principles. Details of these investments are included in each authority’s annual pension fund report, copies of which can be found at the LGPS Advisory Board website at www.lgpsboard.org/index.php/fund-annual-reports-2014

Older People: Poverty

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to tackle poverty among older people in the UK.

Justin Tomlinson: This Government wants all pensioners to have a decent and secure income in retirement. We are committed to the ‘triple lock’, the guarantee that the basic State Pension will increase by the highest of the growth in average earnings, price increases or 2.5%; and for the poorest pensioners, Pension Credit tops up income to a guaranteed minimum level of £151.20 for a single person and £230.85 for couples. We are protecting key benefits for older people including free eye tests, free NHS prescriptions, free bus passes, free television licences for those aged 75 and over, and Winter Fuel Payments.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will commission an independent review of the benefit sanctions system.

Priti Patel: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 03 June 2015 to Question UIN 170

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to suspend benefit sanctions for families with children and for people suffering from mental ill health.

Priti Patel: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 5 June 2015 to Question UIN 176.

Social Security Benefits: Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath

Roger Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claimants have been sanctioned in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency in each of the last 12 months.

Priti Patel: The available information is published at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/: Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started---SuperWEB2.html

National Insurance

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason a person's National Insurance number is printed on a bank statement as a prefix to a monthly pension entry; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: The provision of the national insurance number to a bank or building society is an essential part of paying benefits and pensions direct. All benefits and pensions administered by the Department for Work and Pensions use the customer's national insurance number as a payment reference. The national insurance number provides a unique audit trail of individual transactions so that, for example, returned or other queried payments can be quickly traced and customer enquiries dealt with effectively. Customers are made aware on claim forms that their National Insurance number (NINO) may be shown on bank/building society account statements. We actually provide the banks with a payment reference up to 18 characters (which incorporates the national insurance number). The Department is aware that banks use the information in the exact format provided to them by DWP, but ultimately how much of it appears on the customer’s statement is the responsibility of the bank. DWP does not request or instruct banks to show the national insurance numbers on their customer’s bank statements.

Personal Independence Payment

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answers of 8 June 2015 to Questions 767 and 768, what support will be given to those who lose eligibility for disability living allowance and are not awarded personal independence payments following a reassessment.

Justin Tomlinson: Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will continue to be paid while the claim to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is being processed. Once the PIP decision has been made we will continue to pay DLA for four weeks to provide additional, limited support to those seeing a decrease in financial support.In September 2013, the Motability charity announced that they would provide a one-off package of support and advice to help those people who have a Motability car but are found not to be entitled to the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP and, as a consequence, are no longer eligible to use the Motability Scheme. These people can keep their vehicle for up to three weeks after the DLA payment ends. This means that claimants will retain their car for up to seven weeks following the PIP decision. Additionally, Motability is providing a one-off lump sum to help customers make other arrangements, for example to go towards a used car. They will pay £2000 if the customer joined the Scheme before January 2013 or £1000 if the customer joined after January 2013 and up to December 2013. Motability is working with their suppliers to provide general information on motoring, insurance and other services outside the Scheme, including information about buying new or used cars and arranging insurance and other services. The Scheme also offers customers an opportunity to purchase their vehicle following the end of the lease.

Personal Independence Payment

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answers of 8 June 2015 to Questions 767 and 768, on personal independence payment, what arrangements are in place to deal with the anticipated number of reassessments after October 2015.

Justin Tomlinson: At the Work and Pensions Committee on 29th January 2015 the former Minister of State for Disabled Persons confirmed DWP would implement Full PIP Rollout in a way that is commensurate with capacity. Claimants will be randomly selected for Full PIP Rollout on a post code basis where we are confident that capacity exists. We are working closely with Assessment Provider organisations to progress detailed planning and assurance activity needed to ensure capacity to deal with increased volumes is in place

Personal Independence Payment

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answers of 8 June 2015 to Questions 767 and 768, how many recipients of disability living allowance have been re-assessed for personal independence payment in each of the last six months; and what the average time taken was to process a claim from application to decision in each of those months.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested can be found in the data tables accompanying the ad hoc statistical release on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims published on 12 May 2015:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/426341/pip-ad-hoc-statistics-to-Mar-2015-tables.xls Table 2A shows PIP monthly clearances between April 2013 and March 2015;Table 4A shows monthly average (median) clearance times for PIP claims made under the normal rules ; andTable 4B shows monthly average (median) clearance times for PIP claims made under the special rules for people who are terminally ill. Data to end of April 15 will be released on 17th June, as part of the quarterly official statistics release, and has been pre-announced on the PIP statistics home page: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/personal-independence-payment-statistics

Social Security Benefits

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance has been given to staff in pilot job centres on the Claimant Commitment and the responsibility of individuals to increase their earnings.

Priti Patel: Staff involved in the pilots have received appropriate guidance; face to face learning and a written information pack.

Access to Work Programme

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons his Department did not consult people in receipt of Access to Work awards and their employers before deciding to introduce a limit on those awards.

Justin Tomlinson: Consideration was given to the requirements upon public bodies to act lawfully and fairly, to the evidence available, and to the nature and significance of the decision for affected individuals, including any mitigating factors.

Access to Work Programme

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department plans to have with people in receipt of Access to Work awards and their employers about the introduction of a limit on those awards.

Justin Tomlinson: We are developing new, user friendly guidance which sets out the process clearly and simply. We will publish it shortly and it will be available in Easy Read and British Sign Language. Guidance will be published well in advance of the October introduction of the new limit. Advisers will discuss the introduction of the limit to Access to Work as part of the awards process including exploring how the maximum support can be deployed to greatest effect. We are updating our factsheets – including those for employers. Advisers are able to discuss reasonable adjustments with employers and provide advice on additional cost effective ways of support employers may not have considered – for example on the latest technology which our advisers are made aware of from dedicated technology awareness sessions.

Access to Work Programme

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take to ensure that employers make appropriate reasonable adjustments for employees before Access to Work awards are made.

Justin Tomlinson: The Equality Act 2010 places the responsibility of providing reasonable adjustments upon employers.Access to Work advisers are able to provide information to employers when they are considering the types of support that may be available.The Disability Confident Campaign and Access to Work advisers promote a clear message to employers of their responsibilities to make reasonable adjustments and also that Access to Work is available as a support beyond reasonable adjustments.This can de-risk hiring or retaining disabled workers.Information on reasonable adjustments are linked to from Access to Work pages on gov.uk

Access to Work Programme

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the return on investment from Access to Work awards.

Justin Tomlinson: Estimating Value for Money for Access to Work is difficult – there is no readily available comparison group against which to assess the difference the programme makes to someone’s likelihood of being in work. Access to Work covers a wide range of different types of support. Each individual case is different and it is not possible or accurate to estimate the return to the Exchequer for each case. My officials are considering how best to estimate the return on investment delivered by Access to Work.

Access to Work Programme

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the proposed limit on Access to Work awards supports the Government's Fulfilling Potential disability strategy.

Justin Tomlinson: Based on current figures, when the cap is fully implemented in April 2018, the 200 current users affected will still collectively receive over £8 million pounds per year to support them in employment, provided their circumstances do not change.The introduction of the limit of Access to Work awards will enable around £3m per year to be re-allocated to new users and other under-represented groups. For example this sum could be used to support around 1,000 new customers at average award levels or 3,000 extra places on the Mental Health Support Service.

Children: Poverty

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many children were in poverty in (a) England, (b) London and (c) Enfield in (i) May 2010 and (ii) May 2015.

Priti Patel: Estimates of the number and proportion of children in relative and absolute low-income are published in the National Statistics Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. Due to small sample sizes figures for Enfield are not available as robust estimates cannot be produced for local level geographies. However, HBAI does provide 3-year average estimates of the number and proportion of children in relative and absolute low-income for both England and London. Analysis by region is presented as three-year averages as single-year estimates are considered too volatile. Figures are presented in financial year estimates and are only available up to 2012/13. The latest publication is available at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/households-below-average-income-hbai-199495-to-201213

Social Security Benefits: Airdrie and Shotts

Neil Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Airdrie and Shotts constituency were given welfare sanctions in each year from 2009 to 2014; and what the average number of such sanctions in all constituencies was in those years.

Priti Patel: The latest available information on sanctions, as at December 2014, is published at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/: Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started---SuperWEB2.html

Housing Benefit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the effect on rent arrears of requiring housing benefit claimants to pay 10 per cent towards the cost of their rent; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: No assessment has been made with regard to the effect on rent arrears of requiring housing benefit claimants to pay 10 per cent towards the cost of their rent.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department plans to publish an impact assessment of plans to reduce the household benefit cap to £23,000 per year.

Justin Tomlinson: We will publish a full Impact Assessment in due course.

Housing Benefit: Young People

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people aged 18 to 21 who will retain entitlement to housing benefit under proposals to remove automatic entitlement to housing benefit from those people.

Justin Tomlinson: We will set out our policy design in due course.

Social Security Benefits: Arab States

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what (a) number and (b) total amount of benefit payments have been received by people living in (i) Iraq and (ii) Syria in (A) 2012, (B) 2013, (C) 2014 and (D) 2015 to date.

Priti Patel: The information requested is not available. In order to be eligible to receive state benefits, eligibility conditions usually require a claimant to be resident in the United Kingdom. Claimants are required to tell DWP if they leave the country to travel abroad, but we do not keep records regarding the country a person is travelling to.

Employment: Wales

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on creating a duty to report on progress towards full employment.

Priti Patel: The new statutory duty will require the Secretary of State to publish an annual report on progress towards full employment. This duty will not impact on existing responsibilities of the Welsh Government to develop and deliver employment related policies. We will be engaging with the Devolved Administrations in due course.

Unemployment Benefits: Young People

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many young people in Wales will be eligible for the Youth Allowance.

Priti Patel: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 June 2015 to Questions UIN 887 and UIN 889

Social Security Benefits: Homelessness

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of lowering the overall benefit cap to £23,000 on expenditure on temporary accommodation in (a) London and (b) the UK.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of lowering the overall benefit cap to £23,000 on out of borough placements of homeless families by local authorities in (a) London and (b) the UK.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of lowering the overall benefit cap of £23,000 on levels of homelessness among families with children in (a) London and (b) the UK.

Justin Tomlinson: Details of the policy will be announced in due course.

Poverty

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the findings of the New Policy Institute report, What happened to poverty under the Coalition, published on 29 April 2015.

Priti Patel: DWP has noted the recent publication of the New Policy Institute predictions report on their modelling of poverty under the Coalition. Since 2010, this Government and the previous Coalition Government have undertaken the most substantial welfare reforms in a generation, with employment at the highest on record, this government is restoring fairness, simplifying the benefit system, and helping people into lasting employment. It is known that accurately predicting poverty levels is difficult, as it is influenced by complex interactions between the labour market, welfare state and the wider economy.

Children: Poverty

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many children were in poverty in (a) Scotland, (b) Glasgow and (c) Glasgow Central constituency in (i) 2005, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2015.

Priti Patel: Estimates of the number and proportion of children in relative and absolute low-income are published in the National Statistics Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. Due to small sample sizes figures for Glasgow and the Glasgow Central constituency are not available as robust estimates cannot be produced for local level geographies. However, HBAI does provide 3-year average estimates of the number and proportion of children in relative and absolute low-income for Scotland. Analysis by region and country is presented as three-year averages as single-year estimates are considered too volatile. Figures are presented in financial year estimates and are only available up to 2012/13. The latest publication is available at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/households-below-average-income-hbai-199495-to-201213

Social Security Benefits: Glasgow Central

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants living within Glasgow Central constituency were sanctioned in (a) May 2014, (b) June 2014, (c) July 2014, (d) August 2014, (e) September 2014, (f) October 2014, (g) November 2014, (h) December 2014, (i) January 2015, (j) February 2015, (k) March 2015, (l) April 2015 and (m) May 2015.

Priti Patel: The latest available information on sanctions, as at December 2014, is published at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/: Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started---SuperWEB2.html

Carer's Allowance: Scotland

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were in receipt of carer's allowance in (a) Glasgow Central constituency, (b) Glasgow City and (c) Scotland in the latest period for which figures are available.

Justin Tomlinson: Statistics on people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance is published and available at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp Guidance for users can be found at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp

Winter Fuel Payments

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the feasibility of paying winter fuel allowance payments directly to energy providers; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: Last year the Department undertook an initial feasibility assessment of a voucher scheme to pay Winter Fuel Payments directly to energy providers. It showed that there would be significant additional administrative complexities and costs to the energy providers which were likely to directly increase the fuel bills for all customers and we expected that a significant number of the most vulnerable pensioners would lose out by not redeeming their voucher.

Social Security Benefits: Immigrants

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who had previously been deported from the UK received benefit payments in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014.

Priti Patel: The Departmental records show that no person deported from the UK received benefit payments in the years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Social Security Benefits: Immigrants

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total value was of benefit payments made to people who had previously been deported from the UK in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014.

Priti Patel: The Departmental records show that no benefit was paid to any person deported from the UK in the years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Social Fund

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total value was of (a) loans issued from the Social Fund and (b) successor arrangements made by local authorities in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012, (iv) 2013 and (v) 2014.

Justin Tomlinson: This information is published annually within the Social Fund Annual Report and is available on the Gov.uk website, (links provided). The data is reported for the financial year running from 1st April to 31st March; the 2014-15 report is due to be published later this year. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report-by-the-secretary-of-state-for-work-and-pensions-on-the-social-fund-2009-to-2010 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report-by-the-secretary-of-state-for-work-and-pensions-on-the-social-fund-2010-to-2011 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report-by-the-secretary-of-state-for-work-and-pensions-on-the-social-fund-2011-to-2012 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report-by-the-secretary-of-state-for-work-and-pensions-on-the-social-fund-2012-to-2013 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-fund-annual-report-2013-to-2014 Crisis Loans were abolished from April 2013 and the funding for them, and other parts of the poorly targeted Discretionary Social Fund, passed to local authorities in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales to provide new support for vulnerable people in their communities. Councils are better placed to choose what type of support to provide because what is right for East Ham will not be right for East Sussex. They were not asked or expected to replicate the previous arrangements so comparisons cannot be made between the two.  We do not hold any information relating to local authority welfare spending.

Home Office

Illegal Immigrants

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to end the practice of illegal migration in small boats; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 11 June 2015



The UK is playing its full part in dealing with the immediate situation in the Mediterranean, to prevent further loss of life at sea. The Prime Minister offered UK operational assets to support efforts, coordinated by Italy and Frontex’s Operation Triton.However, we need to break the link between getting on a boat and achieving residence in Europe. That is why the UK is also playing a leading role in pushing for comprehensive, long-term action through the EU and the UN to tackle the causes of illegal immigration and the organised trafficking gangs behind it, as well as increasing support and protection for those who need it in North and East Africa.

Refugees: Syria

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Syrian refugees have been relocated in the UK under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme; and what estimate she has made of the number of such refugees who will be relocated under that scheme by 31 December 2015.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking in collaboration with other European countries and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to co-ordinate the re-settlement of the most vulnerable refugees of the conflict in Syria.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many refugees of the conflict in Syria have been relocated in (a) Germany, (b) France, (c) Switzerland, (d) Sweden and (e) Norway to date.

James Brokenshire: Between the first arrivals in March 2014 and 30 March 2015 (the most recent published data), 187 people were relocated to the UK under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme. The scheme is based on need, rather than designed to meet set arrival projections. However, we will continue to bring groups here on a regular basis. We have said we expect the scheme to help several hundred people over three years, and we remain on track to achieve that. In addition, over 4,200 Syrians have been granted asylum or other forms of leave in the UK under our normal asylum rules since the Syrian crisis began in 2011.We continue to work closely with the UNHCR to identify the most vulnerable people displaced by the conflict, prioritising women and children at risk, people in severe need of medical care and survivors of torture and violence. The VPR scheme runs in parallel with the UNHCR’s own Syrian humanitarian admission programme. This is because the Government believes the UK can add most value through a complementary scheme, focusing on helping the most vulnerable refugees who cannot be supported effectively in the region rather than a quota. With millions of people in need, we strongly believe that the UK can have the greatest impact by continuing to prioritise significant aid; we have donated £800 million, making the UK the second largest bi-lateral donor after the USA and helping to provide vital support to hundreds of thousands of people across the region. The Syrian conflict is a crisis of international proportions and we continue to play our full part in discussions with international partners.The UNHCR is best placed to provide information on the number of Syrians resettled by other states to date. The UNHCR website also provides a list of international resettlement pledges.

Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the terms of the independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's appointment.

Karen Bradley: Information about the terms of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's appointment will be published the same time as the appointment.

Demonstrations: Greater London

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will place a ban on the proposed rally by far right groups on 4 July 2015 in Golders Green.

Mike Penning: The Home Secretary has no powers to ban a static demonstration. We have a long-standing tradition of freedom of expression and association in this country and the Government is clear that people are free to gather to protest and express their views in public. However, the right to protest does not extend to threats and other criminal behaviour. Like all members of the public, protesters are subject to the law and should individuals cross the boundary into criminal acts including public order offences, hate crime offences including anti-Semitic or violent behaviour, the police will take action.The Home Secretary has written to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to ask that he takes full account of the available powers in respect of the demonstration planned for Golders Green on 4 July 2015.

Asylum: Finance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have received financial support in each local authority area in England and Wales in 2015.

James Brokenshire: Support may be provided under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute until their asylum claim is determined. Section 95 support can be provided as both accommodation and subsistence, or accommodation or subsistence only.The following table shows the number of asylum seekers in receipt of Section 95 support in each local authority in England and Wales as at the end of March 2015. The data include dependants in receipt of support but excludes unaccompanied asylum seeking children supported by Local Authorities.The numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of section 95 support, broken down by Local Authority, are published on a quarterly basis by the Home Office in Table as_16_q of the Immigration Statistics release .The latest publication (Immigration statistics, January to March 2015 ) is available on the Gov.UK website:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.



Section 95 Table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 5.43 MB)

Illegal Immigrants: Private Rented Housing

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that letting agents are able to verify the immigration status of tenants who are subletters.

James Brokenshire: The system of right to rent checks which we introduced through the Immigration Act 2014 enables a landlord to delegate the responsibility for conducting a check on a tenant’s status to a lettings agent, together with any associated liability for a penalty. Where a tenant sublets the accommodation to another person, the legislation provides that the tenant is responsible for conducting a right to rent check, and liable for any penalty for not doing so, unless it has been agreed by both parties that the check will be performed by the landlord or an agent. Full guidance for lettings agents on how to carry out checks is available online (www.gov.uk/government/publications/right-to-rent-landlords-code-of-practice), and through a free telephone helpline.The first phase of the scheme is in operation in Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton and is currently being evaluated before it is extended to the rest of the country.

Visas

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visa applications were refused and subsequently granted on appeal in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost of refused visas granted on appeal was in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.

James Brokenshire: Appeal outcomes, including data on volumes of appeals that were granted in the time periods specified, can be found at the following website:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-certificate-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2015Table 2.5 of the ‘Tribunals and gender recognition statistics tables: January to March 2015’ link sets out the % of appeals determined by the First-tier Tribunal that were granted at appeal.The information requested in your second question is not held centrally and can only be collated at disproportionate costs.

UK Border Force

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many vehicle checks UK Border Force undertook at each UK port of entry in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: Her Majesty's Government does not publicise port specific data in the interest of national security. Border Force undertakes a multi-layered, intelligence-led approach to checking vehicles at the border, and resources are deployed flexibly to meet incoming threats.

Asylum: Deportation

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been removed from the UK under the Dublin Convention in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: The number of people transferred under the Dublin Convention and the later Dublin II and Dublin III Regulations, is shown in the following table:  20102011201220132014Total154513439721023740Transfers to other Member States under the Dublin Regulations fell in the last three years because we stopped transferring asylum claimants to Greece in 2010. This was because it was found conditions there amounted to a breach of article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights. There then followed similar litigation around conditions in Italy, but we are still able to effect transfers there.

Immigration Controls

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when Ministers in her Department (a) last met and (b) next plan to meet their counterparts in the Netherlands to discuss border enforcement between the UK and Dutch ports.

James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of these meetings are published on the Cabinet Office website on a quarterly basis.

Northern Ireland Office

Equal Pay: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the gender pay gap in Northern Ireland.

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment she has made of progress in closing the gender pay gap in Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: In recent years the pay gap in Northern Ireland has continued to narrow. In Northern Ireland tackling the gender pay gap is mainly the responsibility of Northern Ireland Executive Ministers but the Government is also playing its part.The gender pay gap in the UK has fallen to its lowest level ever and has been virtually eliminated among full-time workers under the age of 40, but our goal must be to eliminate it and as the Conservative Manifesto states, “we will push business to do so.” The Government is tackling systemic pay inequalities through a range of measures including extending flexible working and introducing shared parental leave.The Conservative Manifesto makes clear this Government’s commitment to “full, genuine gender equality” and states that “we will to require companies with more than 250 employees to publish the difference between the average pay of their male and female employees.”

UK Membership of EU: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with Invest NI on the potential implications of the European Union (Referendum) Bill on investment to Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland recently met the Chief Executive of Invest NI and discussed a range of issues in relation to the Northern Ireland economy, including foreign direct investment. I last met the Chief Executive when he and I took part in a seminar at the Japanese Embassy last week to promote investment in Northern Ireland.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of changes in technological skills and capacity of dissident republican groups and their potential effect on the peace process.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The threat from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism remains severe. Dissident Republican groupings retain lethal intent and capability. The threat is being suppressed but the need for total vigilance remains. As we made clear in our Northern Ireland manifesto at the election we will always give the fullest possible backing to the brave men and women of the PSNI and MI5 who do such a superb job. Under this Government there will be no let-up in our efforts to ensure that terrorism never succeeds.

UK Membership of EU: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has held with the Irish government on the potential implications of the European Union (Referendum) Bill on Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: I regularly hold discussions with the Irish Government on a range of issues, including the UK Government’s approach to the EU and the forthcoming referendum.

Department of Health

Clinical Priorities Advisory Group: Meetings

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when NHS England's Clinical Priorities Advisory Group will meet in (a) 2015 and (b) 2016.

George Freeman: NHS England has advised that the Clinical Priorities Advisory Group (CPAG) normally meets on the first Tuesday of every month. However, for June 2015, there will be a two-day meeting on prioritisation which is scheduled to take place today and tomorrow.   The scheduled dates for 2015 are as follows:   3 February 2015 3 March 2015 7 April 2015 5 May 2015 15 and 16 June 2015 7 July 2015 4 August 2015 1 September 2015 6 October 2015 3 November 2015 1 December 2015   The dates for 2016 are yet to be confirmed.

Bladder Cancer: Vaccination

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to increase the supply of the BCG vaccine for the treatment of patients affected by bladder cancer; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: The supply problems with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) bladder instillations are affecting countries worldwide, and have arisen due to manufacturing problems. One of the two United Kingdom licensed BCG bladder instillations has been unavailable since 2012, and the manufacturer of the other has increased its production as far as possible to help meet the shortfall. The Department and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency are working closely with both suppliers, as well as others in the supply chain, to ensure that everything possible is being done to make supplies available for patients who need this treatment. The Department has also been in close contact with the British Association of Urological Surgeons who have issued advice for clinicians.

Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care: Finance

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will resume central funding of the Professional Standards Authority.

Ben Gummer: The Government’s review of arm’s-length bodies in 2010 found no compelling reason for the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) to continue to be funded by the Government and so through the Health and Social Care Act 2012 it was determined that the PSA would be funded by a compulsory fee paid by the regulators it oversees. This is in line with the principle that regulators should be operationally independent of both the Government and those they regulate, and will allow the Authority to promote the health and well-being of people who use services free from the uncertainties of public finance and political or professional interest.

Eating Disorders: Wirral South

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make an estimate of the cost to Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust of specialised eating disorder clinics occurring in Wirral South constituency.

Alistair Burt: This is a matter for the National Health Service locally.   I have written to David Eva, Chair of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, informing him of the hon. Member’s enquiry. He will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Veterans: Social Services

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that injured military veterans do not have to pay for their social care costs out of their military compensation; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We made a clear commitment, through the Armed Forces Covenant, which we enshrined in legislation in 2011, to support members of the Armed Forces Community, which includes both serving personnel and veterans.   Social care has never been free and people, including veterans, have always been asked to make a contribution based on what they can afford. Veterans injured before 6 April 2005 receive payments under the War Pensions Scheme, which predates the welfare state. Veterans injured from 6 April 2005 receive payments under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. The two schemes reflect the time in which they were developed and as a result they operate differently and are, currently, treated differently in the financial assessment of what people can afford for social care.   Officials in the Department of Health have been working closely with the Royal British Legion to assess how the two schemes might be treated under the social care charging rules in future and the impact of any change on local authority finances. We are grateful for the time the Royal British Legion has taken to work with the officials. We are very much committed to continuing this conversation.

Cervical Cancer: Screening

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to improve the speed of detection of cervical cancer.

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of women over the age of 50 being diagnosed with advanced stage cervical cancer.

Jane Ellison: Early diagnosis of cancer is a major priority for this Government in helping us to improve cancer survival.   The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England offers screening to women aged 50 to 64 every five years to help detect and treat any cervical abnormalities at an early stage. Public Health England continues to work with NHS England to develop a system of performance improvement to increase screening coverage amongst all eligible age groups, particularly in disadvantaged communities. We fully support efforts to warn women aged 50 to 64 about the risks of missing their appointments, as it is important that women above vaccination age realise that cervical screening is the best way to prevent cervical cancer.   In April 2012 the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) gave its support for a pilot to assess the value of using human papilloma virus (HPV) testing as primary screening for cervical disease, rather than the currently used cytology test. The pilot is establishing the feasibility of using HPV as the primary screen for cervical disease in order to achieve better outcomes for women, while minimising over-treatment and anxiety, and whether it is practical to roll out nationally. The UK NSC will open a public consultation shortly on whether HPV as primary screening for cervical disease should replace the currently used cytology test.   The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is in the process of updating the “Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer” (2005) to ensure that it reflects latest evidence and can continue to support general practitioners (GPs) to identify patients with the symptoms of suspected cancer, including gynaecological cancers and urgently refer them as appropriate. Women under 25 who are concerned about their risk of developing cervical cancer should contact their GP.   A cervical screening test is primarily used for screening purposes, and is unlikely to be appropriate when a woman has gynaecological issues that are symptomatic of cancer.   When a woman is experiencing gynaecological problems which are symptomatic of gynaecological cancer, their GP would be expected to refer them to the appropriate specialist without needing to conduct a screening test.

NHS: Locums

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many locum (a) doctors and (b) general practitioners were employed by the NHS in each of the last five years.

Ben Gummer: Information on the number of locum doctors and general practitioners (GPs) employed by the National Health Service is not available.   The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) publishes provisional monthly NHS hospital and community health service (HCHS) workforce statistics for directly employed staff (not GPs) in the NHS in England. This includes information on HCHS doctors on temporary contracts directly employed by the NHS, for example those covering maternity leave, but does not include agency staff. The information available for each of the last five years is in the attached table. The latest data is for February 2015.   The HSCIC also publishes the annual NHS General and Personal Medical Services workforce census, which shows the numbers of GPs working in the NHS in England at 30 September each year, but this data does not include locum GPs.   GPs are independent contractors who hold contracts with NHS England to provide primary healthcare services for the NHS. 



HCHS doctors on temporary contracts 2011-14
(Excel SpreadSheet, 25.21 KB)

Chase Farm Hospital: Ambulance Services

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients have arrived by ambulance at Chase Farm Hospital's urgent care centre in each of the last four quarters.

Jane Ellison: The information requested is not held centrally.

Health Education England: Personnel Management

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of Health Education England's workforce planning.

Ben Gummer: Health Education England (HEE) has made good progress in creating and implementing a national workforce planning process for the National Health Service and public health system. For the first time, there is now a publication of a national workforce plan for England setting out the investment that will be made in the education and training of the workforce. In developing the plan, HEE has worked closely with local NHS providers, commissioners and other partners to ensure that it reflects the future workforce that is needed to deliver health services.   HEE has published two workforce plans to date, in December 2013 and most recently in December 2014. The latest plan sets out the education commissions that HEE will make in 2015-16 and forms the basis for future recruitment to postgraduate medical and dental training posts and the contracts with higher education institutions who will deliver the agreed number of education places commencing in September 2015.   Copies of both documents have been attached. 



Health Education England Workforce Plan 2014-15
(PDF Document, 3.87 MB)




Health Education England Workforce Plan 2015-16
(PDF Document, 4.38 MB)

Cervical Cancer: Learning Disability

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve cervical screening rates among people with learning disabilities.

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will make an assessment of the efficacy of self-sampling for HPV testing as an alternative to the current HPV screening for people over the age of 50.

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will fund research into the potential benefits of self-sampling for HPV testing for people over the age of 50 in addition to the current STRATEGIC study for 25-29 year olds.

Jane Ellison: The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England offers screening to women aged 25 to 49 every three years, and women aged 50 to 64 every five years. Women aged over 65 should only be screened if they have not been screened since age 50 or if they have had recent abnormal results.   The NHS Cervical Screening Programme provides support leaflets for carers of women with learning disability to help them to make an informed decision and to understand the process. The leaflet is available at:   http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/faq10.html   The NHS Cervical Screening Programme is aware that women with learning disabilities are less likely to attend their cervical screening appointment and are therefore working with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to encourage these women to be screened. More information can be found at:   http://www.jostrust.org.uk/node/18658   The NHS Cervical Screening programme currently uses cytology as the primary screen. In April 2012 the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) gave its support for a pilot to assess the value of using human papilloma virus (HPV) as primary screening for cervical disease, rather than the currently used cytology test. The pilot is establishing the feasibility of using HPV as the primary screen for cervical disease in order to achieve better outcomes for women, while minimising over-treatment and anxiety, and whether it is practical to roll out nationally. The pilot sites, which began in May 2013, are: Liverpool, Manchester, Northwick Park (Harrow), Bristol, Sheffield and Norwich. An absence of HPV means that the woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer is very low. Strategies in which HPV was used as the first test (primary screen) were found to be both cost and life years saving. Cancer Research UK has estimated that, when fully implemented, HPV as primary screening could prevent an additional 600 cancers a year1 . The UK NSC will open a public consultation shortly on whether HPV as primary screening for cervical disease should replace the currently used cytology test.   The Advisory Committee on Cervical Cancer (ACCS) met earlier this year and were given a presentation on whether self-sampling would be a feasible method in cervical screening. The ACCS acknowledged that various United Kingdom studies demonstrated an increase in uptake amongst non-attendees when self-sampling was offered. The ACCS agreed that self-sampling was a feasible strategy for HPV testing. However, further work would need to be undertaken before this could be piloted.   The Department funds the Policy Research Unit in Cancer Awareness, Screening and Early Diagnosis led by the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London. The unit is currently developing its work programme for 2016 and 2017, which may include topics relevant to cervical screening.   1 http://msc.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/06/10/0969141313492313

Diabetes

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to Personalised Health and Care 2020: Using Data and Technology to Transform Outcomes for Patients and Citizens, published in November 2014, what plans NHS England has to pilot the use of patient-centred outcome measures in diabetes care; and if he will make a statement.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to publish a national diabetes strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: NHS England has not yet made any decisions on the next steps for the patient-centred outcome measures (PCOMs) programme. It is currently assessing the PCOMs children and young people work with a view to deciding where the best applications of PCOMs will be.   Preventing diabetes and promoting the best possible care for people with diabetes is a key priority for this Government. The NHS Five Year Forward View set out a commitment to implement a National Diabetes Prevention Programme to provide lifestyle programmes to pre diabetic patients to reduce the risk of them developing diabetes.   We are also building on the Diabetes Prevention Programme to develop a comprehensive action plan to improve the outcomes of people with and at risk of diabetes.

Mental Health Services: Procurement

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many block contracts were in place for mental health services in England in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13 and (d) 2014-15; with which mental health providers those block contracts were commissioned in each such year; and what proportion of the total value of specialised mental health services those contracts represented in each such year.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2015 to Question 224465, with which mental health providers the 93 block contracts in specialised mental health services in 2014-15 were commissioned.

Alistair Burt: Neither Monitor nor NHS England hold information on the number of block contracts that were in place for mental health services in England in 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2014-15. NHS England does hold information on 2014-15 for contracts held with mental health providers for the provision of specialised services only. From the latest information held on 2014-15 outturn, the amount spent is £1,793 million.   In 2014- 15, 36 of the 93 contracts had a block element within the contract and are listed below. Of those, four are full block contracts and a further 11 have a block element that more than 50% of the contract.   Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust**South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust*Plymouth Community Healthcare (CIC) Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust**Calderstones Partnership NHS Foundation Trust**Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust**Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust**Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust*Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust**Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust*Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust**Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust**Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust North East London NHS Foundation Trust South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust*Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust West London Mental Health NHS Trust Bradford District Care Trust Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust**Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust**Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust**Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust  *Contract 100% block **Contract>50% block

Mental Health Services: Children

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to implement the recommendations of the report of the Children and Young People's Mental Health Taskforce, Future in Mind, published in March 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: This Government is committed to improving children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing as well as services for those with mental health problems. We are working with NHS England and other partners to consider how best to drive forward system-wide, sustainable transformation in children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.   A number of the proposals in the Government report, Future in mind, are already being developed and delivered including:   - The extension and expansion of the children and young people’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme; - The commissioning of a new prevalence survey on mental health problems in children and young people; and - Joint training and piloting of staff in schools and local mental health services to strengthen the mental health support and advice available in schools.

Cervical Cancer: Older People

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve cervical screening coverage for women over the age of 50.

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve public awareness of the link between HPV and the development of cervical cancer.

Jane Ellison: The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England offers screening to women aged 50 to 64 every five years to help detect and treat any cervical abnormalities at an early stage.   Public Health England continues to work with NHS England to develop a system of performance improvement through the use of performance floors, and strengthened governance for screening. The aims of the performance floors are:   - Improving performance and equity of service over time by reducing the range of variation at a local level including improving access to cervical screening for women aged 50 and over; and - Enabling easy identification of poor performance and the setting of objectives and plans for local action, to reduce variation and improve performance.   In April 2012 the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) gave its support for a pilot to assess the value of using human papilloma virus (HPV) testing as primary screening for cervical disease, rather than the currently used cytology test. The pilot is establishing the feasibility of using HPV as the primary screen for cervical disease in order to achieve better outcomes for women, while minimising over-treatment and anxiety, and whether it is practical to roll out nationally. The UK NSC will open a public consultation shortly on whether HPV as primary screening for cervical disease should replace the currently used cytology test.   Information for women of all ages on cervical cancer and HPV is freely available on the NHS Choices website at:   http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer-of-the-cervix/pages/introduction.aspx

Wheelchairs: Assessments

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in England were waiting for a wheelchair assessment in the most recent period for which figures are available; and how many people who have assessed as eligible for a wheelchair since February 2014 have waited (a) more than three, (b) more than six and (c) more than 12 months for the delivery of that equipment.

Alistair Burt: Wheelchair services are now commissioned by clinical commissioning groups.   Whilst the Health and Social Care Information Centre collects data about the health and social care system. The requested information is not collected by it.

Health and Care Professions Council: Fees and Charges

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the reasons for the increase in the mandatory registration fee for membership of the Health and Care Professionals Council; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Gummer: The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is a self-financing, independent regulator that is accountable to Parliament through the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) who assesses the HCPC’s performance, conducts audits, scrutinises their decisions and reports to Parliament.   It is for the council of the HCPC to set their fees at a level which ensures they can fulfil their statutory role of protecting, promoting and maintaining the health and safety of the public.   The Department understands that the HCPC publicly consulted on raising their registrant fee and as part of that process explained the raise was for a number of reasons: to fund the periodic fee it is required to pay the PSA; to enable the HCPC to operate more flexibly and efficiently; and to ensure the HCPC’s financial viability in the medium to long term.

Cancer: Medical Treatments

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to expedite the provision through the NHS of immunotherapy treatments for cancer; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: A number of immunotherapy drugs are licensed for the treatment of different cancers and are available for use on the National Health Service, subject to funding decisions by the relevant commissioner. Pembrolizumab and nivolumab are two new immunotherapies that are able to treat a number of cancers. The first cancer where these medicines have shown significant increase in patient survival is advanced stage of melanoma. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued early access scientific opinions for both products for treatment of advanced stage melanoma. The Early Access to Medicines scientific opinion for pembrolizumab (Merck Sharp & Dohme) was issued in March 2015 and that for nivolumab (Bristol Myers Squibb) in May 2015.   Applications for marketing authorisations for both products have already received positive opinions from the European Medicines Agency and marketing authorisations are anticipated to be issued by the European Commission soon.   Through its technology appraisal programme, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has been able to recommend a number of immunotherapy treatments including, ipilimumab and obinutuzumab. NICE is currently developing technology appraisal guidance on other immunotherapy treatments including nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Wherever possible, NICE aims to publish draft or final guidance on drugs referred to it within a few months of the drug receiving a license. NHS commissioners are legally required to fund drugs and treatments recommended in NICE technology appraisal guidance.

Obesity: Screening

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment NHS England has made of the accuracy and effectiveness of the traditional BMI test in determining levels of obesity in adults.

Jane Ellison: NHS England has not made an independent assessment of the accuracy and effectiveness of Body Mass Index (BMI) in determining overweight and obesity in adults.   Public Health England and NHS England support the implementation of expert guidance on the use of BMI provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Currently, NICE recommends that BMI is used routinely by healthcare professionals to assess obesity in adults and children.   NICE recommends the use of additional validated obesity measures, such as waist circumference, to be undertaken alongside BMI when assessing overweight and obesity in individuals to give more detailed assessment of an individual’s health risk.

Diseases

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of known conditions that meet NHS England's definition of an ultra-rare disease; and how many people in England are known to have been diagnosed with such diseases.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what NHS England's definition is of an ultra-rare disease.

George Freeman: In the United Kingdom, the term “ultra-rare disease” is generally used to describe a condition that affects fewer than 500 people, although this is not a formal or legal definition. This equates to a prevalence of about 1 person in 100,000.   We have been informed by NHS England that no formal estimate has been made of the number of known conditions that meet this definition or those diagnosed. However, the Orphanet directory of rare disease lists about 250 diseases with a prevalence of 1 in 100,000.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: Publications

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether it is standard practice for NICE to delay publication of draft guidance for technology appraisals as a result of pre-election purdah.

George Freeman: Throughout the pre-election period, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) continued the substantive work on the development of its guidance, including technology appraisals, such as evidence gathering and committee meetings, but postponed publication of draft or final guidance until after the election. This is consistent with the approach that NICE has taken for previous pre-election periods.

Buxted Medical Centre: Surgery

Nusrat Ghani: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will discuss with Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust cancellations of intracranial surgical interventions at Buxted Medical Centre.

Ben Gummer: This is a matter for the National Health Service.   We are advised by the NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) that Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust provides neurosurgery services at the Hurstwood Park Centre at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.   The TDA advises cancellations of elective neurosurgery work may occur at the Trust, particularly when cases require Intensive Care Unit or High Dependency Unit support, as this capacity can at times be taken up with emergency work. The TDA further advises less frequently, emergency procedures themselves may necessitate the postponement of elective work. The TDA is not aware of any issues with cancellations over and above this.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Cost Effectiveness

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to HM Treasury's press release, Chancellor announces £4.5 billion of measures to bring down debt, published on 4 June 2015, what efficiency savings he plans to make to meet the planned reduction of £450 million in his Department's budget; and how much he plans to reduce higher education and further education spending in order to make that reduction.

Anna Soubry: The majority of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ £450m savings will be delivered through known underspends and releasing unallocated funding. Officials in my Department are working with the appropriate funding bodies to determine how other savings can best be achieved in line with ministers’ priorities. Funding for apprenticeships and student maintenance will not be affected. The underlying principles ensuring that students and young people continue to benefit from one of the best education systems in the world will continue.

Wind Power

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate his Department has made of the number of jobs contributed by onshore wind to the UK economy in each year since 2010.

Anna Soubry: Estimates of the number of UK jobs contributed by the onshore wind industry and its supply chain between 2010 and 2013 are contained in the table below Employment in the onshore wind industry including its supply chain 2010201120122013Employment14,30017,80018,40019,000   Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and include the contribution of the direct sector and the indirect employment generated through the supply chain. The data is sourced from the report “The size and performance of the UK low-carbon economy”, published by the Department in March 2015. It is available online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-carbon-economy-size-and-performance

Health: Research

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to encourage UK-based pharmaceutical companies to increase their contribution to global health research and development.

George Freeman: The UK life sciences sector, which includes pharmaceuticals, is one of the most productive in the world. The pharmaceuticals sector also remains the largest contributor to UK research and development, accounting for 22% of the total spend in 2013.Since 2011, the Government has invested £2 billion in health and life science research, through the UK Research Councils, Innovate UK and the Department of Health’s research programme (National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)), leveraging over £3.5 billion of private sector investment, and making the UK the leading European destination for life science fundraising. Alongside, the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) has developed tools to help companies to deliver their research in the NHS to quality, time and target.There has also been significant direct support to business including £232m of the £240m Biomedical Catalyst awarded to over 250 business and Higher Education Institutions, attracting £118m in industry match-funding and supporting fundamental research from discovery through to commercialisation to deliver patient benefit. The Regional Growth Fund and Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain provided over £92 million to 27 projects, leveraging a further £337 million. This funding has enabled companies from all parts of the life sciences sectors to invest in innovative research and development, and direct and indirect funding support for businesses and relevant wider infrastructure will continue to be available through successor public programmes.The Small Business Research Initiative will continue to generate new business opportunities for companies, enabling the development of innovative products and services through the public procurement of research and development.The Cell Therapy Catapult (CTC) Centre was set up to help translate promising scientific discoveries towards clinical impact for this new and emerging field. The CTC will be opening a world-leading manufacturing centre in Stevenage in 2017 to support companies to manufacture and supply Phase 3 clinical trials – important components of the research and development cycle.Uptake and demand from the NHS for innovation complements industry investment in research and development in the UK by ensuring there is a market for new cost-effective products. The Accelerated Access review will make recommendations to Government by the end of this year, on accelerating access for NHS patients to cost-effective, innovative medicines and medical technologies.The Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) provided a platform for drugs to be brought to patients at a much faster rate than ever before. Seven Promising Innovative Medicine (PIM) designations and the first early access Scientific Opinion were awarded in the first year. The Accelerated Access Review will include a review of the first year of EAMS.Government has also introduced a series of measures through the taxation system to create the conditions for business growth and encourage business investment. These include R&D Tax Credits for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and relief for larger firms; The Patent Box; Enterprise Investment and Venture Capital Trust schemes as well as Entrepreneur’s Relief.

Further Education: Greater London

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the reduction in the skills funding budget in financial year 2015-16 on further education colleges in (a) London and (b) Enfield.

Nick Boles: The Skills Funding Agency allocates funding in response to learner demand and in accordance with Government priorities, including the importance of growing apprenticeships.

Small Businesses: Wales

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government about creation of the Small Business Conciliation Service.

Anna Soubry: Through the forthcoming Enterprise Bill, this Government will introduce measures to create a Small Business Conciliation Service to help small businesses resolve business-to-business disputes.   The Government will shortly seek views on the scope and functions of this new service to ensure it has real impact. We will engage with each of the devolved administrations, including the Welsh Government during this process.

Adult Education: Liverpool

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of reductions in the adult skills budget on learners in Liverpool.

Nick Boles: The Skills Funding Agency allocates funding in response to learner demand and in accordance with Government priorities, including the importance of growing apprenticeships.

EU External Trade: Asia

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in other EU member states on negotiating a trade deal between the EU and (a) China and (b) India.

Anna Soubry: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Ministers’ are engaging actively with our EU counterparts on the EU’s trade agenda. Most recently, the Minister of State for Trade and Investment attended the OECD’s Ministerial meeting on Trade, Investment and Development where he discussed the full range of EU trade negotiations with EU Trade Ministers, including those of France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. The Minister of State also discussed relevant negotiations with Trade Ministers from several non-EU countries at this meeting, including China.

EU external Trade: Iron and Steel

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on dumping of steel products in EU markets by China and Turkey.

Anna Soubry: Ministers in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) have not had discussions with the European Commission on dumping of steel products in the EU by China and Turkey.   However, BIS officials are in regular contact with Commission officials responsible for anti-dumping investigations, and have had discussions with them last and this year about a specific case of alleged dumping, and related matters, in the steel market. The most recent contact took place on 9 February.

Adult Education: Finance

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what impact assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of reductions in the adult skills budget, due to take effect in 2015-16, on students.

Nick Boles: The skills funding agency allocates funding in response to learner demand and in accordance with Government priorities, including the importance of growing apprenticeships.   The majority of the Department’s £450m savings will be delivered through known underspends and releasing unallocated funding. Officials in my Department are working with the appropriate funding bodies to determine how other savings can best be achieved in line with ministers’ priorities. .

Ministry of Defence

Military Aircraft

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to consider expansion of the UK's airborne ISTAR capabilities as part of the SDSR.

Michael Fallon: The Strategic Defence and Security Review will look across the spectrum to assess what defence capabilities will address the threats we face.

Kenya: Military Exercises

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with his Kenyan counterpart to ensure that Kenya can continue to be used as a location for training exercises by the UK military.

Penny Mordaunt: The UK and Kenya are continuing constructive negotiations on a new Defence Cooperation Agreement. We share a strong interest in working together to achieve a successful outcome. Both Governments have therefore agreed to extend the current Memorandum of Understanding for six months from 21 April, to allow sufficient time to conclude negotiations.

Russia: Submarines

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many incidents involving fishing vessels and Russian submarines in British coastal waters were recorded in each of the last five years.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many incidents involving fishing vessels and Russian submarines were recorded in the wider seas around the UK in each of the last five years.

Penny Mordaunt: It is UK policy that we do not comment on matters relating to submarine activity as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our Armed Forces.

USA: Nuclear Weapons

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) the Foreign Secretary, (b) the US and (c) others on the possibility of US nuclear missiles being located in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Fallon: I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Europe (Mr Lidington) gave on 9 June 2015 (Official Report, column 1024).



20150609 - Hansard extract on Nuclear Security
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Unmanned Air Vehicles

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether France has requested the deployment in Africa of any UK Reapers or other unmanned aerial systems.

Penny Mordaunt: We routinely discuss with France our respective operational deployments, including those of Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition Reconnaissance (ISTAR) assets, in those parts of the world where both UK and French Forces are engaged. But we have received no formal French request for deployment of Reaper or other UK unmanned aerial systems in Africa.

Armed Forces: Disclosure of Information

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter of 23 February 2010 from the Service Complaints Commissioner, reference 030/10, what steps the Service Complaints Commissioner has taken to provide full and proper determination of a service complaint submitted by Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) RH Jollys into allegations of wrongful disclosure of personal data to third persons with malicious intent.

Mark Lancaster: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor (Anna Soubry) on 23 March 2015 to Question 227335.



20150323 - Hansard extract on AF Complaints
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Ministry of Defence: Cost Effectiveness

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the HM Treasury press release, Chancellor announces £4.5 billion of measures to bring down debt, published on 4 June 2015, what efficiency savings his Department will make plans to make to achieve reductions of £500 million in its budget.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of the reduction in his Department's budget announced on 4 June on (a) his Department's travel budgets, (b) recruitment of officials to his Department and (c) equipment programmes.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under what budget headings he plans to make the £500 million savings announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 4 June 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 9 June 2015 to Question 1245, by how much he plans to reduce his Department's expenditure on (a) consultants and (b) overtime and travel; and how he plans to re-profile equipment and infrastructure spending.

Michael Fallon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 June 2015 to Question 1245 to the hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Jones). 



Ministry of Defence: Public Expenditure
(Word Document, 27 KB)

Army: Northern Ireland

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who the most senior serving army officer is in Northern Ireland; and to whom he or she reports.

Penny Mordaunt: The most senior serving Army Officer in Northern Ireland is Brigadier Ralph William Wooddisse MBE MC, Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade. He reports to Major General Giles Hill CBE, General Officer Commanding 1 (UK) Division.

Submarines

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK submarines are not a danger to fishing boats.

Penny Mordaunt: The safety of submarines and other vessels is paramount, and since 1993 the Royal Navy (RN) has adhered to "The Code of Practice for the Conduct of Submarine Operations in the Vicinity of Fishing Vessels". This was agreed by the Fishing Industry Safety Group, and is a focus for submarine crews.To support the code there are regular consultation meetings between the RN and fishermen's associations in the Clyde, West Coast of Scotland, Irish Sea and the Portland/Plymouth regions.In addition the RN has a Fishery Liaison Officer to provide a central point of contact with the UK fishing industry.

Russia: Armed Forces

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many unauthorised incursions Russian (a) naval and (b) air forces made into (i) UK and (ii) NATO Allies' territory in each of the last 10 years.

Mr Julian Brazier: I can confirm that there have been no unauthorised incursions by Russian air forces into UK sovereign airspace within the last 10 years.For information on the number of Russian naval incursions into UK territorial waters I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 March 2015 by the previous Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mark Francois) to Question number 218391.The Ministry of Defence does not hold or have access to information on Russian incursions into NATO Allies territories.



20150324 - Hansard extract on Territorial Waters
(Word Document, 26 KB)

Armed Forces: Health

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force personnel are deemed unfit for active service.

Mark Lancaster: The information requested is shown in the table below. The numbers provided include those who are temporarily unfit for duty and under medical care, and those who are medically unfit for service. Both are therefore classed as unfit for active service, as per the hon. Member’s question. UK Armed Forces personnel assessed as unfit for duty or unfit for service, by service, as at 1 April 2015 ServiceStrengthMedically unfit for duty or unfit for serviceAll144,1201,580Naval Service[1]30,060160Army82,2301,270Royal Air Force31,830150  [1] Naval Service includes Royal Navy and Royal Marines

Air Force

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2015 to Question 1248, which squadrons will be reduced in size as a result of the reduction in personnel planned between 2015-16 and 2019-20; and how he plans to reduce personnel numbers in each rank of the RAF in order to achieve that reduction.

Penny Mordaunt: The RAF will reach its Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 manpower targets through a managed programme of reductions. This includes the retirement of platforms such as Tornado GR4 and Sentinel and their associated squadrons. The reductions will affect a broad range of ranks across the RAF and will be achieved through the previous two tranches of redundancy and forecast exits.

Navy

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2015 to Question 500, which units of the Royal Navy will be reduced in size as a result of the reduction in personnel planned from 2015-16 to 2019-20; and how he plans to reduce the number of personnel in each such rank in order to achieve that reduction.

Penny Mordaunt: The number of Royal Navy units and personnel for the period out to 2019-20 was determined in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, which we are implementing.Advances in technology for our ships, submarines and aircraft involve manning adjustments while maintaining operational capability.It is for the Royal Navy to determine the appropriate manning structure for each platform.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Communities and Local Government: Families

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Prime Minister's press release of August 2014, what steps he is taking to assess the impact of his Department's policies on the family.

Mr Mark Francois: The Family Test was announced by the Prime Minister in August 2014 and introduced in October 2014 through the publication of guidance for officials - Family Test Guidance The objective of the Test is to introduce a family perspective to the policy making process, specifically to make the potential impacts on family functioning and relationships explicit. DCLG leads on delivery of the Troubled Families Programme which is a leading example of this approach and is working with the Department for Work and Pensions to embed the Test across its wider policy-making process.

Mobile Homes: Sales

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will undertake an immediate review of the effect of the 10 per cent commission charge on the sale of park home properties; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: Following a recommendation from the Communities and Local Government Select Committee in 2012 that the right of site owners to receive up to 10% commission from the sale of a home should remain in place, the Government has no plans to carry out an immediate review of the commission payable on the sale of a park home.

Regional Planning and Development: Yorkshire and the Humber

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what provisions under the Northern Powerhouse policy will increase (a) economic growth and (b) employment in (i) Huddersfield and (ii) Yorkshire.

James Wharton: The Government recognises that every city, town and county are key to economic growth. As part of the Northern Powerhouse, the Government is providing the investment and environment to allow local people to benefit fully from that growth. Huddersfield, and other towns and cities across West Yorkshire and Leeds City Region, will soon start to see significant benefits from the £627 million Growth Deal. This includes the Process Manufacturing Centre at Kirklees College in Huddersfield which will start on site this month, and the Incubation and Innovation Centre at the University of Huddersfield which is due to commence next year. Across Yorkshire, the Government is investing in transport improvements, as outlined in the Northern Transport Strategy and through Growth Deals for Sheffield City Region (£328 million), York, North Yorkshire and East Riding (£122.2 million) and the Humber (£113.6 million). In March 2015, a devolution deal was agreed with West Yorkshire and Leeds City Region. This will give council leaders and businesses greater influence over investment decisions on skills, transport, housing and support for small businesses.

Regional Planning and Development: North of England

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received of the potential effect of the Northern Powerhouse policy on smaller towns and cities in the North.

James Wharton: The Department is in regular contact with local authorities, businesses, Local Enterprise Partnerships, universities and other stakeholders from across the North regarding the Northern Powerhouse.

Local Government

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to councils on providing residents with correction letters when incorrect information has been sent to them about a change in council policies.

Mr Marcus Jones: Councils should follow the recommendations in the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity in the production of all taxpayer funded publicity, including letters to residents about council policies.

Housing: Construction

Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps have been taken to prevent (a) garden grabbing and (b) the inappropriate development of dwellings on residential gardens.

Brandon Lewis: Our National Planning Policy Framework is clear that private residential gardens are excluded from the definition of previously developed or brownfield land. This ensures that councils are not forced into granting permissions in order to meet brownfield development targets, and this policy remains in place. The Framework asks local councils to consider the case for setting out policies to resist inappropriate development of residential gardens, including where development would cause harm to the local area. This allows councils to set policies which are appropriate to their local area.

Affordable Housing

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many affordable homes he expects will be (a) started and (b) completed in (i) Barnsley East constituency, (ii) Barnsley, (iii) South Yorkshire and (iv) England in each of the next five years.

Brandon Lewis: The Department does not forecast affordable housing delivery by locality by year. The Government is committed to deliver 275,000 affordable homes in England across 2015-20 with £38 billion of public and private investment.

Right to Buy Scheme

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of council-owned properties that will need to be sold to pay for discounts offered under the right to buy for housing association tenants in each of the first five years of that policy.

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what criteria will be used to determine which council houses will be sold under the proposed extension of right to buy for housing association tenants; and whether those criteria will be the same for all local authorities.

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the sale of the most expensive council homes under the proposed extension of the right to buy for housing association tenants on the availability of local social housing.

Brandon Lewis: The development of the policy is ongoing, and details will be set out in due course.

Council Tax

Mike Kane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will include provisions in the forthcoming Housing Bill to allow councils to include a question asking for the details (a) of a property's tenure and (b) of the landlord in rental properties on council tax forms.

Brandon Lewis: Existing council tax legislation already allows local authorities to collect this data.

Right to Buy Scheme

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with mortgage lenders on the implications for lending of an extension of the right to buy to housing association tenants.

Brandon Lewis: Ministers and senior officials in my Department are engaging on an ongoing basis with lenders and other financial institutions in relation to key policy issues.

Right to Buy Scheme

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether funds raised from the sale of council houses under the extension of the right to buy for housing association tenants will be used to cover the cost of discounts for buyers in the same local area or on a national basis.

Brandon Lewis: The development of the policy is ongoing, and details will be set out in due course.

Right to Buy Scheme

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the right to buy for housing association tenants in each of the first five years of that policy.

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how discounts for buyers under the proposed extension of the right to buy for housing association tenants will be funded in areas where local authorities have no council housing stock to sell.

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of properties that will be sold in each of the first five years of the right to buy for housing association tenants.

Brandon Lewis: Details will be set out in the impact assessment when the Housing Bill is published.

Business Improvement Districts

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to improve the transparency of operation of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs); and what his policy is on increasing the powers made available to BIDs.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mayors

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the key functions and responsibilities of metro mayors will be.

Mr Mark Francois: There is no rigid template as all metro mayors will be part of bespoke devolution deals.

HM Treasury

Fuels: Rebates

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how he plans to implement the rural fuel rebate scheme in the KW12 postcode area which contains no fuel stations.

Damian Hinds: The Government used pump price data received through calls for information, as well as data previously held by HMRC, to help determine the list of areas to be included in its application to the European Commission for the extension of the rural fuel rebate scheme. Records show that a filling station in the KW12 postcode submitted evidence as part of the Calls for Information. While some areas may have been included in the Government’s application in which a filling station has since closed down, the areas met the strict criteria used for the application, and therefore new filling stations in these areas remain eligible to apply for the scheme.

Taxation: Wales

Owen Smith: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people in Wales paid tax at (a) basic, (b) higher and (c) additional tax bands in each of the last five years.

Mr David Gauke: Estimates of the number of taxpayers in each income tax rate band broken down by country and region are published in HM Revenue & Custom's National Statistics table 2.2 which is available on the internet at the following address:   https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/429136/Table_2.2.pdf

Tax Avoidance: Self-employed

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the use of personal service companies as a means of tax avoidance; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Gauke: This Government is committed to tackling tax avoidance and evasion at all levels to ensure everyone pays the right tax at the right time. Avoidance (and evasion) damage the ability of the tax system to deliver its objectives and impose additional costs on all taxpayers.  Personal Service Companies are not in themselves avoidance vehicles and contribute to the flexibility of the UK labour market. However, where people would have been employees if they were providing their services directly IR35 anti-avoidance legislation requires they pay broadly the same tax and National Insurance as other employees. HMRC takes a risk based approach to ensure these rules are complied with.  HMRC has improved the way in which it administers IR35 including strengthening its specialist compliance teams, increasing the number of investigations where IR35 is the main risk tenfold and clarifying the application to officeholders.

Income Tax: Self-employed

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people paid their income tax via the use of personal service companies in each of the last five years.

Mr David Gauke: This information is not available, and could only be collected at disproportionate cost.

Pensioners: Income Tax

Charlotte Leslie: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners liable for income tax who are not sent tax forms by HM Revenue and Customs; and what steps he is taking to increase the number of pensioners being sent such forms.

Mr David Gauke: HMRC estimates there are around 6m pensioners, in receipt of State Pension, who are liable for income tax. Not all will be sent tax forms.   There are no plans to increase the number of tax forms sent to any taxpayers, including pensioners.

Working Tax Credit: Overpayments

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2015 to Question 576, whether HM Revenue and Customs (a) sold working tax credit debt to external debt collection agencies and (b) contracted out the collection of working tax credit debt while retaining ownership.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs has not sold tax credit debt. It has contracted out collection, but retains ownership.

Department for Transport

Network Rail

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had on the sale of the (a) telecoms and (b) power supply functions of Network Rail; and what plans he has to sell those functions.

Mr Patrick McLoughlin: Officials have held discussions under the aegis of the Cabinet Office-led Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Portfolio Board (TDIP) on the potential exploitation of any spare telecoms capacity to benefit the public. No decisions for any changes have been taken and there are no current plans to sell Network Rail’s telecoms or power supply assets.

Bypasses: Hampshire

Mims Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Botley Bypass, currently at feasibility design stage, will be included in near-future transport infrastructure plans.

Andrew Jones: I understand that the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), where the Botley Bypass is situated, is undertaking work to look at transport schemes within the LEP area to inform their Transport Infrastructure Plan due later this year.

Pedestrian Areas: Visual Impairment

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to offer financial support to people who want to drop their kerbs in order to help the blind and partially-sighted.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve road safety for blind and partially-sighted pedestrians.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Highways Agency and (b) local authorities on the provision of dropped kerbs to aid the blind and partially-sighted.

Andrew Jones: The Department for Transport (DfT) is committed to comprehensive civil rights for disabled people. An integrated transport policy, which encompasses accessible public transport, public transport infrastructure and a barrier-free pedestrian environment is fundamentally important to delivering that commitment. With regard to the provision of dropped kerbs (or crossovers at driveways), this is a matter for each local authority as they are responsible for deciding on the appropriate policies that balance the needs of local residents, emergency services, local businesses, and those who work in and visit the area. However, the DfT has produced information for service providers called ‘Inclusive Mobility’ and this includes detailed advice on the design and provision of dropped kerbs for various situations. This document may be viewed at – www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-mobility There have been no recent discussions with either the Highways Agency (now Highways England) or local authorities on the provision of dropped kerbs to aid blind or partially-sighted people. The DfT also remains committed to review and update ‘Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces’. We have met stakeholders to identify a number of priority amendments to the existing guidance and we are considering further consultation on the proposed layouts in the summer. Provisions in the Equality Act 2010 require service providers, such as local authorities, to take reasonable steps to ensure that disabled people do not find it impossible or unreasonably difficult to enjoy a service on the same basis as non-disabled people. Safety of all road users is of paramount importance, and the Department supports pedestrian safety through a range of measures, providing local authorities with a wide range of tools to help them provide safer roads. For example, following changes made in the last few years, local authorities now have more flexibility than ever before in designing 20mph zones and limits. We have also authorised pedestrian countdown, as an additional option for authorities in choosing appropriate crossing types for different roads. The Department recognises that inconsiderate parking, especially on the pavement, can cause problems for blind and partially sighted pedestrians. In London there is a general ban on parking on the footway. In the rest of England there is no such prohibition but traffic authorities have wide-ranging powers to prevent people parking on the pavement and we wrote to all English traffic authorities on 27 June 2014 to remind them of this.

Severn River Crossing: Motorcycles

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many journeys over the Severn Crossings were made by motorcycles in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Andrew Jones: The number of motorcycles crossing westbound on both Severn River Crossings bridges is provided in the table below, for 2012 to 2014. YearNumber of motorcycles: westbound crossings 2012129,3582013133,3672014141,135Source: Severn River Crossing plc tolling data

Taxis: Disability

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that taxi and private hire drivers undergo disability awareness training.

Andrew Jones: Although there is no statutory requirement for Taxi and PHV drivers to undertake disability awareness training, the Department for Transport’s best practice guidance on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing in England and Wales recommends local licensing authorities work with operators, drivers and trade bodies in their area to improve drivers’ awareness of the needs of disabled people. This includes encouraging their drivers to undertake disability awareness training. A separate licensing regime regulates taxi and private hire vehicles in Scotland and the Scottish Government publishes its own Best Practice guidance. The Law Commission recently undertook a wide ranging review of taxi and private hire legislation in England and Wales and published their final report and a draft Bill on 23 May 2014, in which it recommended mandatory disability awareness training for drivers. The Government will respond to the report shortly.

Taxis: Disability

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on (a) assistance for wheelchair users by taxis and private hire vehicles and (b) the charging of additional costs by taxi and hire vehicle owners; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Jones: The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring that everyone has the same access to transport services and opportunities to travel. Both taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) are a particularly valuable form of transport for people with disabilities. I would strongly encourage all Taxi and PHV drivers to assist wheelchair users, wherever possible, and would also strongly discourage the practice of making additional charges to assist a disabled passenger. I would remind all Taxi and PHV operators of their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

Cycling: Capital Investment

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will lay before the House a commencement order to allow the publication of a funded Cycling and Investment Strategy under the Infrastructure Act 2015.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government intends to announce the commencement of the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy as soon as is practicable.

Railway Stations: Disability

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps are being taken to improve access for disabled people at National Rail stations.

Claire Perry: By the end of this year the Access for All programme, launched in 2006, will have provided step free routes to more than 150 stations and smaller scale improvements at over 1,100. A further £160m has been allocated to extend the programme until 2019 and the 68 stations to benefit from this were announced last year. This is in addition to access improvements delivered by other major projects or the industry itself, which must meet UK and EU standards for accessibility.

Integrated Transport Authorities

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the benefits of Integrated Transport Authorities.

Andrew Jones: No assessment has been made of the benefits of Integrated Transport Authorities. It is for local areas to undertake a review of their governance arrangements to determine the benefits for them of establishing an Integrated Transport Authority, or other governance arrangements such as a Combined Authority.

Integrated Transport Authorities

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what incentives his Department provides to encourage councils to create Integrated Transport Authorities.

Andrew Jones: No specific incentives are provided to encourage councils to create Integrated Transport Authorities. It is for the councils concerned to determine what the benefits would be of moving to new local governance arrangements.

Integrated Transport Authorities

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on allowing a smaller group of local authorities in a region to create an Integrated Transport Authority if all of the local authorities in that region are not willing to take part.

Andrew Jones: It is for local authorities to develop jointly a proposition to change their transport governance arrangements, including Integrated Transport Authorities or Combined Authorities. Any such proposition would have to show that the establishment of an Integrated Transport Authority would be likely to improve the exercise of transport statutory functions and the effectiveness and efficiency of transport in the area. Local authorities have to consent to joining an Integrated Transport Authority.

Great Western Railway Line: Electrification

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the electrification of the Great Western Line between London and Swansea will be completed.

Claire Perry: Great Western electrification is the biggest and most complex electrification scheme for more than a generation, passing through several World Heritage sites and involving around 15,000 foundations, 14,000 masts, 1,500 signal upgrades and 50 station improvements. Network Rail continues to work towards delivering electrification to agreed timescales. This is an extremely challenging programme and we are working closely with Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to ensure successful delivery. However, I would reiterate that it is this Government which is working hard on rail electrification compared to the performance of the previous Labour government which managed to electrify just 10 miles over their entire 13 years in office. In addition, in the previous Parliament we also agreed a funding package to deliver the electrification of the Welsh Valley lines.

Railways: Pensions

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which sections of the Railways Pension Scheme are operating in deficit; and when he expects the next valuation of the Railways Pension Scheme to be carried out.

Claire Perry: The latest triennial valuation of the Railways Pension Scheme (RPS) carried out as at 31 December 2013 has yet to be finalised. To date, proposals for 82 of the 104 Sections of the RPS which require a valuation have been approved by the Trustee of the RPS, who has overall fiduciary responsibility for the effective operation of the RPS. Where deficits were shown employers of these sections have agreed a suitable recovery plan with the Trustee to make good the deficits. The next valuation of the RPS will be carried out as 31 December 2016, with the indicative results expected to be provided to sponsoring employers in Spring 2017. For further information regarding the RPS and 2013 Valuation please contact the Company Secretary, Railways Pension Trustee Company Limited, 7th Floor, Exchange House, 12 Exchange Square, London EC2A 2NY.

Network Rail: Public Appointments

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of the 8 June to Question 881, whether the Stakeholder Executive's review recommended that a Special Director be appointed to Network Rail's board.

Mr Patrick McLoughlin: As I am still considering all of the recommendations in the review, I do not intend to prejudice any decisions by releasing the review’s findings. I will make any relevant decisions in due course.

A1(M): Hertfordshire

Sir Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the widening of the A1(M) in Hertfordshire.

Andrew Jones: I cannot provide an exact start date for construction. However, as stated in Highways England Delivery Plan 2015-2020, construction of the A1(M) Junction 6-8 smart motorway scheme in Hertfordshire is planned to start construction in late in the 2019/20, and complete approximately 12 months later. The next step is the detailed design and planning of the scheme, plus consultation with the local community to produce the best possible scheme. That work will be taken forward by Highways England and is expected to start shortly.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Pakistan: Drugs

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department took steps to review the Government's counter-narcotics support to Pakistan following the Pakistan government's announcement in March 2014 that it would execute all prisoners on that country's death row.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK works with a range of international partners, including Pakistan, to combat narcotics trafficking. We do so to tackle the international drugs trade and minimise the threat it poses to the UK and its citizens. The Government has implemented a clear and robust framework - the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) Guidance – that all Government departments must adhere to. This enables the Government to assess comprehensively the risk attached to our international activity. Once in place, an OSJA is subject to continual review. When the moratorium on the death penalty was lifted in Pakistan the Government reviewed its security engagement with Pakistan. Our engagement in Pakistan continues to be conducted in full accordance with the OSJA guidance, respect for human rights is one of its core principles.

Pakistan: Drugs

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what funding the Government plans to contribute to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's supply-reduction-focused counter-narcotics work in Pakistan.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK is supportive of the work that UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) carries out in Pakistan. Between 2012 and 2015 the UK joined nine other countries to help fund a UNODC programme targeting illicit trafficking and improving border management. This assisted in building the capacity of the Government of Pakistan to tackle organised crime and to stem the illicit flow of substances across their border. The project also included training on International Human Rights Law. This project concluded in March 2015. Further funding to UNODC is under consideration.

Pakistan: Capital Punishment

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2015 to Question 223790 on Pakistan, what information his Department holds on the reasons Pakistan's Interior Minister reported in March 2014 that there were six British nationals facing the death penalty for drug offences in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We cannot comment on the reasons behind the Pakistan Interior Minister’s response to last year’s Question. As a co-signatory of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963, the Pakistani authorities are under a duty to inform, without delay, the British Consulate of the arrest or detention of a British national if he/she so requests. We are currently aware of 2 British nationals who have been sentenced to death in Pakistan. We are not aware of any British nationals currently on death row for drug-related offences in Pakistan.

Pakistan: Drugs

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the risk that UK support for law-enforcement-led counter-narcotics activity in Pakistan could contribute to capital convictions for drug offenders in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK works with a range of international partners, including Pakistan, to combat narcotics trafficking. We do so to tackle the international drugs trade and minimise the threat it poses to the UK and its citizens. The Government has implemented a clear and robust framework - the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) Guidance – that all Government departments must adhere to. This enables the Government to assess comprehensively the risk attached to our international activity. Once in place, an OSJA is subject to continual review. When the moratorium on the death penalty was lifted in Pakistan the Government reviewed its security engagement with Pakistan. Our engagement in Pakistan continues to be conducted in full accordance with the OSJA guidance, respect for human rights is one of its core principles.

Raif Badawi

Mr David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations the Government has made to the government of Saudi Arabia on the sentence on Raif Badawi; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are extremely concerned that Raif Badawi’s sentence has been upheld by the Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia. However we understand that this case is under active consideration in the Saudi Supreme Court and we will continue to watch it closely. We have raised this case at the most senior levels bilaterally with the Saudi Arabian government.

Shaker Aamer

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the government of Saudi Arabia on the transfer of Shaker Aamer to a country outside the US; and what discussions he has had with Saudi officials on the possibility of Shaker Aamer being transferred to the UK.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: I have not had any discussions with the government of Saudi Arabia about Mr Aamer.

Shaker Aamer

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the US government to have Shaker Aamer transferred to the UK after he is transferred to a country outside of the US.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: I have not made any representations to the US government about the transfer of Shaker Aamer to a third country. It is Mr Aamer’s wish to return to the UK to be reunited with his wife and family. We have made clear to the US that this is a priority for us.

Shaker Aamer

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many visits British Consular staff have made to Shaker Aamer in each of the last 10 years.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Mr Aamer is a Saudi national, and states are only afforded consular access and responsibilities in respect of their own national citizens.Whilst we are therefore not able to conduct visits, we routinely enquire about Mr Aamer’s welfare, and always follow up allegations of poor health as a matter of priority. We are also in touch with his legal representatives who alert us to any concerns they have on his welfare.Mr Aamer’s case remains a high priority for the UK Government and we continue to make clear to the US that we want him released and returned to the UK as a matter of urgency.

Yemen: British Nationals Abroad

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of British nationals in Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all travel to Yemen since 2011 and suspended Embassy operations in February 2015. As such, we are not able to accurately estimate the numbers of British nationals still in Yemen. We have provided consular assistance to British nationals who have left Yemen since the Saudi-led military action began in March 2015.

Iran: Baha'i Faith

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise the human rights of the Baha'i community in Iran with his Iranian counterpart.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Our non-resident Chargé d’Affaires raised the concerns of the Baha’i community with the Iranian authorities during his last visit to Iran on 18 May. We have repeatedly expressed our concern at the harassment faced by Baha’is in Iran and at the sentencing of seven Baha'i leaders to 20 years in prison. I met representatives of the Baha'i community on 10 February to discuss their concerns. We hope that the Government of Iran will ensure that all Iranian citizens are able to practise their faith freely, as required by international conventions.

Burma: Rohingya

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the humanitarian situation affecting the Rohingya people in Rakhine State; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Hugo Swire: We remain deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian situation faced by the Rohingya in Rakhine State. The UK is one of the largest bilateral humanitarian donors in Rakhine State, contributing over £18m since 2012. We regularly raise the underlying political problems and human rights abuses both bilaterally and in international fora, where for several years the UK has sponsored Resolutions at both the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly. We will continue to keep it high on both the bilateral and international agenda.

Burma: Rohingya

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has received from the Burmese government on the humanitarian situation affecting the Rohingya people in Rakhine State; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Hugo Swire: We have received no such representations. The UK raises the humanitarian situation of the Rohingya with the government of Burma at every opportunity. Most recently in relation to the crisis in the Andaman Sea, I called the Burmese Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 May to make clear the need for an urgent humanitarian response and regional coordination. Our Ambassador in Rangoon delivered the same message in a demarche to Burmese Ministers, on 18 May and on 4 June.

Occupied Territories: Trees

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the government of Israel about the displacement of trees in Palestine under the Olive Tree Project; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv express our serious concerns to the Israeli government about the destruction of olive trees, whether by the Israeli authorities or by extremist settlers, on a regular basis. They raised the issue of settler violence and destruction of olive trees most recently with an Israeli Police Spokesperson on 13 May.We are well aware of the difficulties facing Palestinian olive growers and of the particular sensitivities around olive trees given their status as a national symbol and the sole source of income for many Palestinian farmers. The Israeli authorities are responsible for enforcing the rule of law and providing the appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.

Russia: Diplomatic Service

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many British diplomats have been withdrawn or expelled from Russia in each of the last 20 years; and what the explanation was for each such withdrawal or expulsion.

Mr David Lidington: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Russia: Diplomatic Service

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Russian diplomats have been expelled or withdrawn in each of the last 20 years; and for what reason each such expulsion or withdrawal occurred.

Mr David Lidington: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Nigeria: Terrorism

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) his Nigerian counterpart and (b) the President of Nigeria on suicide bomb attacks in that country.

James Duddridge: Nigeria’s new President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated on 29 May. He has not yet appointed any Ministers. We regularly engage with Nigerian politicians and officials on security and the fight against terrorism, particularly the threat posed by Boko Haram. The Prime Minister discussed this when he met President Buhari on 23 May and the Foreign Secretary raised the matter again when he met President Buhari on 29 May, at his inauguration in Abuja, Nigeria.

Gibraltar: Politics and Government

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to provide additional support to the next Governor of Gibraltar in protecting the interests of the people of Gibraltar.

Mr David Lidington: The Government will provide all the support necessary to the next Governor of Gibraltar, as it has to the current Governor, to enable him or her to exercise his or her responsibilities to the full and in the interests of Gibraltar and the people of Gibraltar.

Iran: Nuclear Power

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the proposal by Iran under a nuclear deal for a 24-day notification period for access to nuclear facilities in that country by International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: A comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran that addresses our proliferation concerns will need to be fully verifiable by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This must include robust monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities, and Iran’s implementation of it's Additional Protocol, in order to reassure the international community that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.

Iran: Nuclear Power

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, by how much Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium has exceeded the amount permitted under the Joint Plan of Action.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The latest International Atomic Energy Agency Director General's report on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme was issued on 29 May 2015. Nothing in this report indicates a violation by Iran of the Joint Plan of Action.

Iran: Nuclear Power

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much enriched uranium Iran intends to export.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: On 2 April in Lausanne, the E3+3 and Iran agreed that the enriched uranium stockpile and the level to which Iran is permitted would be limited. However, it remains the Government’s policy not to comment on the detail of the nuclear negotiations while they are continuing.

Iran: Nuclear Power

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received of attempts by Iran to purchase enriched uranium from abroad.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are not aware of any such reports. The UN Iran Sanctions Committee published its final report for 2014/15 on 2 June, which makes no mention of any recent Iranian attempts to purchase enriched uranium from abroad.

Somaliland

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last met representatives of the government of Somaliland.

James Duddridge: I met President Silanyo of Somaliland and other Somaliland Ministers in London in October 2014, at the UK-Somaliland Trade & Investment Forum, where I discussed Somaliland’s economic growth, political landscape, security, and development co-operation. HMG officials regularly meet members of the Somaliland Government and work closely with them on shared objectives. The British Ambassador to Somalia most recently visited Hargeisa in late May and met President Silanyo.

British Nationals Abroad

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of British citizens in (a) Yemen, (b) Syria, (c) Libya, (d) Somalia and (e) Iraq.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are not able to estimate accurately the numbers of British nationals in countries to which we advise against travel or where we have restricted or no representation. Our ability to provide consular assistance to British Nationals in those countries is also limited. However we will, where we can, support British Nationals who require consular assistance, as we have for those that have left Yemen following the Saudi-led military action, which began in March 2015.

Department for International Development

Yemen: Humanitarian Aid

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department and its international partners are taking to ensure humanitarian aid continues to be provided during the conflict in Yemen.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The UK is working closely with the United Nations, the United States and other partners to ensure humanitarian aid continues to enter Yemen. We have consistently called on all parties to the conflict to ensure rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian agencies. We support the UN Secretary General’s call for a further humanitarian pause so that agencies can deliver further supplies, help the sick and wounded to access health services, and allow civilians trapped by fighting to leave. The UK was the first country to deploy humanitarian experts to Riyadh to offer practical advice to Saudi and Yemeni authorities on facilitating access for humanitarian supplies, resuming commercial shipping, and improving systems for humanitarian clearances. So far the UK has provided £15 million to the 2015 UN Humanitarian Appeal for Yemen (including an additional commitment of £4 million in April 2015). Our contribution is providing life-saving assistance (e.g. medical supplies, water, food and emergency shelter) to those affected by the conflict and treating severe acute malnutrition.

International Conference On Financing for Development

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the Government's priorities will be at the UN Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa in July 2015; and what her assessment is of the likely outcome of that conference.

Justine Greening: The Department for International Development has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

International Conference on Financing for Development

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if the Government will support at the UN Financing for Development conference the creation of a new international tax body under the auspices of the UN.

Justine Greening: The Department for International Development has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Education

Science: Education

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many initiatives her Department runs to encourage students to take up STEM subjects; and how much has been spent on each such initiative in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: There have been significant increases in the number of young people studying A Level science and maths in recent years. Between 2010 and 2014, the number of pupils taking A Levels increased by 13% in maths, 21% in further maths, 16% in physics, 6% in chemistry and 17% in biology.   The Department for Education currently funds three initiatives to support schools to increase participation in STEM subjects: the Stimulating Physics Network, the Triple Science Support Programme, and the Further Mathematics Support Programme.   The Stimulating Physics Network aims to increase the number of students progressing to A Level physics. Since 2011, the network has received the total funding of £11.15 million: 2011-12 £3 million; 2012-13 £3 million; 2013-14 £3 million; 2014-15 £2.15 million.   The Triple Science Support Programme aims to increase the number of pupils studying GCSE triple science. Since 2011, the programme has received the funding of £7.5 million: 2011-12 £1.85 million; 2012-13 £1.85 million; 2013-14 £2.8 million; 2014-15 £1 million.   The Further Mathematics Support Programme aims to increase the number of students studying A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Since 2011, the programme has received the total funding of £13.5 million: 2011-12 £1.75 million; 2012-13 £3.25 million; 2013-14 £3.5 million; 2014-15 £5 million.

Science: Teachers

Dr Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure children receive high quality mathematics, technology and science teaching.

Nick Gibb: As we committed in our manifesto, we will help teachers make Britain the best country in the world for developing mathematics, engineering, science and computing skills. To help achieve this, in March 2015, the Prime Minister announced further investment of £67 million over the next five years to train an extra 2,500 mathematics and physics teachers and improve the skills of 15,000 existing teachers.   The new national curriculum, GCSEs and A Levels all set expectations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics which meet those of countries which have the highest levels of performance in education in the world.   To support high quality teaching in science, the Department for Education funds training through a network of Regional Science Learning Centres and bursaries which reduce the cost to schools of science training. For mathematics, we fund a national network of 34 Maths Hubs and the Shanghai teacher exchange programme to raise standards based on the best international practice, and the Further Maths Support Programme to improve teaching of A level mathematics and further mathematics.

Schools: Arts

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many design and technology departments in (a) academies and (b) local authority maintained schools have closed in the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education does not collect information on the closure of departments within schools.

Schools: Arts

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to encourage the teaching of design and technology in (a) academies and (b) local authority maintained schools.

Nick Gibb: Design and technology is compulsory in the national curriculum at key stages 1 to 3. The new national curriculum, which came into force from September 2014, is more challenging, with a focus on the process of design and strengthened technical knowledge. GCSEs and A levels in design and technology are being developed, for first teaching from 2017, to be more rigorous and build on the new curriculum. Academies are not required to deliver the national curriculum, however, they must offer a broad and balanced curriculum and publish their curriculum provision and content online.

Department for Education: Cost Effectiveness

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the HM Treasury press release, Chancellor announces £4.5 billion of measures to bring down debt, published on 4 June 2015, what efficiency savings she plans to make to meet planned reductions of £450 million in her Department's budget.

Nick Gibb: These savings will come from a variety of measures including expected departmental underspends in demand-led budgets, efficiencies and some small budgetary reductions. No savings will be made from protected schools funding.

Further Education: Finance

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to reduce the budget for the education and training of 16 to 19-year olds to meet the £450 million savings to be found in her Department in this financial year.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The savings announced by the Chancellor will come from a variety of measures including expected departmental underspends in demand-led budgets, efficiencies and some small budgetary reductions.

Teachers: Veterans

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many former troops requalified as teachers between 2010 and 2015; and how many such teachers she plans to train by 2020.

Nick Gibb: The Department of Education does not hold information on how many service leavers have requalified as teachers.   In June 2013, we introduced the Troops to Teachers programme for undergraduate service leavers. The numbers from the first cohort who achieve qualified teacher status and a degree will be available in January 2016.   A further cohort of service leavers is being recruited to start training on the Troops to Teachers programme in September 2015.

Education and Adoption Bill

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish draft regulations defining the term coasting before the committee stage of the Education and Adoption Bill in this House.

Edward Timpson: We are engaging closely with interested parties to develop the coasting regulations.   We will publish draft regulations to enable scrutiny at Committee stage.

Academies

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answers of 8 June 2015 to Questions 814 and 815, if she will take steps to ensure that all applications for Academy Orders from federated schools comply with regulation 46 of the School Governance (Federations) (England) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1035).

Edward Timpson: The Department will update its academy conversion application form and associated guidance to ensure that federated schools are made aware of the requirements of regulation 46 of the School Governance (Federations) (England) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1035) as they apply to federated schools wishing to become academies. It is for schools to ensure that they have complied with all relevant requirements at the point that they make their application.The Department will also contact federated schools that have already submitted an application to become an academy to check that they are compliant.

Schools: Hertfordshire

Sir Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will take steps to maintain the schools budget and per-pupil spending in Hertfordshire.

Mr Sam Gyimah: At a time of difficult financial decisions for the country, we have made a conscious choice to prioritise spending on education. We will continue to protect the schools budget, and will ensure that the funding schools receive increases as pupil numbers increase. In 2015-16, we added £390million to the budgets of 69 local authorities considered to have been unfairly funded in previous years, including £11.3million of additional funding for Hertfordshire.

Academies

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the cost to her Department is of a school to academy conversion.

Edward Timpson: The rates vary according to type of project, and it would therefore be very difficult to provide an average cost per academy based on total spent/numbers opened.   Information on the grants available to academies can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/academy-funding.

Schools: Standards

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish a definition of coasting schools before the Second Reading of the Education and Adoption Bill.

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools that will be categorised as coasting.

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria will be used to determine whether a school is coasting.

Edward Timpson: Draft regulations on the definition of coasting will be published at Committee stage.   These will be based on performance over a number of years. The number of schools categorised as coasting will therefore vary from year to year, depending on the outcome of examination and test results.   The definition will focus on data, will reflect performance over time and will capture schools that are failing to support their pupils to fulfil their potential.

Further Education: Finance

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the HM Treasury press release, Chancellor announces £4.5 billion of measures to bring down public debt, published on 4 June 2015, what plans she has for funding for education and training for 16 to 19 year olds during the 2015-16 academic year.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The savings announced by the Chancellor will come from a variety of measures including expected departmental underspends in demand-led budgets, efficiencies and some small budgetary reductions.

*No heading*

Jeff Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of whether schools and students are adequately prepared for forthcoming changes to A-levels.

Nick Gibb: A survey of 500 schools and colleges conducted by UCAS in December 2014 indicated that 76% had decided on the programme of A levels and AS levels that they will offer in 2015. The Department has worked with the Association of Colleges to publish information to help schools and colleges to implement the reforms to A Level qualifications.

*No heading*

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there will be reductions in education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds as a result of funding reductions announced for her Department on 4 June 2015.

Nick Boles: The savings from the funding reductions recently announced will come from a variety of measures including expected departmental underspends in demand-led budgets, efficiencies and some small budgetary reductions.

*No heading*

Ruth Smeeth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure there is an adequate number of school places; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Supporting local authorities to create school places where they are needed most is one of the Department’s top priorities. The Coalition Government invested over £5 billion in providing new school places between 2011 and 2015, and this Government has committed to a further £7 billion in capital funding between 2015 and 2021. Local authorities have risen to the challenge, delivering 445,000 new places since 2010, with many more in the pipeline.

*No heading*

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will allocate additional funding to local authorities which have a shortfall of nursery and school places to expand existing schools.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Supporting local authorities to create places where they are needed most is one of the Department’s top priorities. We have committed £7billion in capital funding between 2015 and 2021 to help local authorities create places in reception to year 11. We have invited free schools to apply for capital funding for nursery provision, and local authorities have the freedom to spend some of their capital funding on nursery places if this is a local priority.

*No heading*

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure sixth form colleges are funded on the same basis as other post-16 providers.

Nick Boles: The funding for all 16 to 19 pupils comes from the same funding formula, irrespective of whether the provision is a sixth form college, a further education college, a school, an academy or a free school. There is no factor within the 16-19 funding formula that differentiates between type of institution.

*No heading*

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to maintain current levels of the schools budget and per-pupil spending.

Nicky Morgan: As we pledged in our manifesto, we are protecting funding for our schools and the money spent on our children because nothing is more important than investing in the next generation. This will mean that as pupil numbers increase, so too will the amount of money schools receive.

Leader of the House

Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance

Sir Alan Haselhurst: To ask the Leader of the House, if he will bring forward proposals to establish a Joint Committee on Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster.

Chris Grayling: I expect to bring forward proposals to establish a Joint Committee on Restoration and Renewal before the House rises for the summer recess.

Devolution: England

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Leader of the House, if he will make it his policy that a select committee of this House considers any changes to Standing Orders to create English votes for English laws before a motion is tabled for their approval.

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Leader of the House, with reference to the Implications for Devolution of England, Cm 8969, published in December 2014, whether he will use Option 3 in the paper as the basis for his proposals on English votes for English laws.

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Leader of the House, whether under his proposals for English votes for English laws, an English Grand Committee will be required to vote on a legislative consent motion before the Third Reading of any bill with England-only implications.

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Leader of the House, whether under his proposals for English votes for English laws, bills may be split so that parts of them can be considered as England-only.

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Leader of the House, whether under his proposals for English votes for English laws, the Speaker will determine whether a bill is considered by all hon. Members or by those representing English constituencies.

Chris Grayling: I will bring forward proposals on English Votes for English Laws shortly. There will be time for the House to give them full consideration and there will be a full debate on them.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Squirrels

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to extend the initiative to reduce grey squirrel numbers in Anglesey to the rest of the UK.

Rory Stewart: Grey squirrel control is a devolved matter so I can only answer according to the policy in England.Whilst Defra does not have any eradication plans for grey squirrels in England, we are supporting action to maintain areas of the country which are currently grey squirrel-free and to push surrounding grey populations back where possible. In 2014 the Forestry Commission reviewed our approach to grey squirrels and updated the action plan for grey squirrels in England. The revised action plan includes several measures to assist with control of grey squirrels both in areas where red squirrels have the best chance of surviving and expanding, as well as in woodlands where grey squirrels cause considerable damage.

Beaches: Litter

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that beaches are cleaned and cleared of litter, rubbish, debris and discarded household items.

Rory Stewart: We all want beaches which are clear of litter and rubbish. Local Authorities and other land managers have a duty to keep their land clear of litter and refuse: this includes beaches above the high water mark. The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse sets out the standards we expect them to achieve. It recognises that cleaning beaches can present particular challenges because of the terrain, accessibility and the need to be sensitive to habitats.Defra works with and supports the work of Keep Britain Tidy, which runs the globally-recognised Blue Flag beach award in England. This year, 61 beaches in England were awarded a Blue Flag, and 111 achieved the new Seaside Award (formerly the Quality Coast Award), with 31 beaches achieving both awards.

Insecticides

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 8 July 2014, to Question 203903, what recent steps she has taken to implement the ban on neonicotinoids.

George Eustice: Neonicotinoids are a group of chemicals used as active substances in pesticides. Decisions on the approval of pesticide active substances are made at EU level. Five neonicotinoids are currently approved but, since December 2013, three are not permitted for use on a wide range of crops considered “attractive to bees”. A number of other uses remain permitted under the EU approval. The UK has implemented the restrictions in full. These restrictions remain in place until and unless the European Commission decides to change them. EU legislation also sets out the rules under which Member States consider applications for the authorisation of products. This includes rules for authorisation in emergency situations in crop protection. The Government has received applications for emergency authorisation of neonicotinoid seed treatments for use on oilseed rape and these applications are currently being assessed.

Seals: Conservation

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect the seal population in British waters from illegal slaughter.

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to prevent the illegal culling of seals in UK coastal waters.

Rory Stewart: Seal conservation is a devolved issue so I can only respond with respect to England. Approximately 85% of the UK seal population is in Scotland and the Scottish Government has its own legislation concerning the protection of seals. Seals in England are primarily protected by the Conservation of Seals Act 1970. Under this Act, it is an offence to take or kill common and grey seals out of season or to use certain methods to kill or take, unless permitted to do so by a licence issued under the Act. No licences have been issued for the culling of seals in England in the last five years. The Act also allows the Secretary of State to provide year round protection in any specified area. Such a ‘Conservation Order’ currently protects grey and common seals on the east coast of England. Given the distribution of seal populations in England, this Order has the net effect of providing year round protection for almost all common seals and the majority of grey seals in England. Fishermen are only permitted to kill or take, without the need for a licence, to protect their fishing equipment or fish therein if the seal is in the vicinity of the equipment at that time.

Seals

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many seals are slaughtered annually in British waters.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many seals are illegally slaughtered annually in British waters.

Rory Stewart: Seal conservation is a devolved issue so I can only respond with respect to England. Approximately 85% of the UK seal population is in Scotland and the Scottish Government has its own legislation concerning the protection of seals.Seals in England are primarily protected by the Conservation of Seals Act 1970. Under this Act, it is an offence to take or kill common and grey seals out of season or to use certain methods to kill or take, unless permitted to do so by a licence issued under the Act.No licences have been issued for the culling of seals in England in the last five years.The Government has made no assessment of the number of seals killed off the English coast.There is no evidence to suggest that the limited local control of seals permitted in England is having an adverse effect on the conservation status of the UK seal population as a whole.

Farms: Waste Disposal

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to prevent slurry being illegally dumped into rivers.

Rory Stewart: Water quality is a devolved issue and I can only respond with respect to England.Slurry is a highly polluting organic effluent generated by livestock and is strictly controlled through regulations. Illegal dumping of slurry in a river could kill fish and aquatic life and cause bacterial contamination of drinking water supplies.Under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010, it is an offence to discharge polluting material to a watercourse without a permit. The use of properly constructed and maintained stores greatly reduces the risk of significant pollution events. The Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (England) Regulations 2010 as amended in 2013 set minimum requirements for the construction of these facilities. The Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 prohibit the spreading of slurry where there is a significant risk that it may get into surface water. The Code of Good Agricultural Practice sets out guidance for the management of slurries.Details of how to comply with all these regulations are published on GOV.UK.The Environment Agency uses data it gathers from its monitoring networks and the evidence it gathers from its catchment walkovers to identify potential risks. It advises operators on managing their effluents safely. Where required, the Environment Agency can also take enforcement action ranging from warning letters through to formal notices and prosecution to bring people back into compliance with the law.

Seals

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to require fishermen to be licensed in order to slaughter seals that threaten their fishing stocks.

Rory Stewart: Seal conservation is a devolved issue so I can only respond with respect to England. Approximately 85% of the UK seal population is in Scotland and the Scottish Government has its own legislation concerning the protection of seals.Seals in England are primarily protected by the Conservation of Seals Act 1970. Under this Act, it is an offence to take or kill common and grey seals out of season or to use certain methods to kill or take, unless permitted to do so by a licence issued under the Act.Fishermen are only permitted to kill or take seals in limited circumstances, without the need for a licence, to protect their fishing equipment or fish therein if the seal is in the vicinity of the equipment at that time.The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 strikes a proportionate balance between the conservation and welfare of the seals and the needs of those impacted by individual problem seals. We have no plans to review this legislative protection.There is no evidence to suggest that the limited local control of seals permitted in England is having an adverse effect on the conservation status of the UK seal population as a whole.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Listed Buildings: Energy

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on changing planning guidance on listed buildings to reduce heat loss through windows.

Andrea Leadsom: Ministers in the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) regularly meet with colleagues from other Departments to discuss a range of matters, including strategies to minimise heat loss.

Renewable Energy

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in the Northern Ireland Executive on (a) retention of the Strategic Energy Framework target of 40 per cent electricity from renewables by 2020 and (b) the contribution of that strategy to meeting the UK's international obligations.

Andrea Leadsom: My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State met Jonathan Bell (Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland) on the 10th June.They discussed these two points during the meeting.

Wind Power: Employment

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what information her Department holds on the number of people employed in the wind power sector in (a) Barnsley, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) England.

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what information her Department holds on the number of people employed in the solar power sector in (a) Barnsley, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) England.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills has published information on the number of people employed in in onshore wind, offshore wind and solar PV sectors across the UK as set out in its report, The Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy.[1]In 2013, onshore wind employed 12,800 people, offshore wind employed 10,900 people, and solar PV employed 28,700 people in England. 2,100 people were employed in onshore wind, 500 people in offshore wind, and 2,900 people in solar PV, in the Yorkshire and Humber region in 2013.[2]Information is not broken down to show the number of people employed in these sectors for South Yorkshire or Barnsley.[1] The Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy: Report for 2010 to 2013 (March 2015), Department for Business, Innovation & Skills:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416240/bis-15-206-size-and-performance-of-uk-low-carbon-economy.pdf[2] Employment stated here includes headcount in both direct activates and supply chain.

Nuclear Power Stations: Safety

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the findings of the (a) Office for Nuclear Regulation report, Accidental Aircraft Crash Hazard Assessment, published in May 2015 and (b) Loughborough University report, A Review and Statistical Modelling of Accidental Aircraft Crashes within Great Britain, published in September 2014.

Andrea Leadsom: The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) established a Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) in 2012, to provide independent, objective, authoritative, professional scientific advice to the ONR’s Chief Nuclear Inspector, and to explore potential improvements to existing methodologies for calculating accidental aircraft crash frequency.In order to support its deliberations, the TAP commissioned research on some aspects of the data and methods used in calculating accidental aircraft crash risk. The Health and Safety Laboratory and Loughborough University conducted research and reported to the Panel.The Technical Advisory Panel made four recommendations, addressed to the Chief Nuclear Inspector. The Chief Nuclear Inspector has fully endorsed the conclusions of the Panel and committed to implementing the report’s recommendations. The Technical Advisory Panel’s Final Report, including the Chief Nuclear Inspector’s forward setting out his response, can be found at:http://www.onr.org.uk/documents/2015/tap-report.pdf.

Severn Estuary: Tidal Power

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what impact assessment the Government has made of proposals for further tidal lagoons in the Severn Estuary.

Andrea Leadsom: The first phase of the Contract for Difference negotiation for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project enables the Department to better understand the potential of a tidal lagoon programme in the UK.We recognise the need to consider the strategic case for having multiple tidal lagoons in the Severn Estuary and the impact that this could have on the area.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether she plans to attend the next meeting of her Department's nuclear stakeholder forum for non-governmental organisations.

Andrea Leadsom: I value the NGO Forum as an important means of engagement between the Department and this community. I am kept updated on discussions and my attendance will be subject to my diary availability.

Tidal Power: Swansea

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the proposed timetable is for the completion of the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon.

Andrea Leadsom: The timetable for completion of the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon is a matter for the project developer. The timetable will be dependent on a number of external factors, including the need to obtain all the necessary statutory consents, the successful conclusion of the Contract for Difference negotiation process and State aid approval.

Attorney General

Sentencing: Appeals

Karl Turner: To ask the Attorney General, how many cases were referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014.

Karl Turner: To ask the Attorney General, how many cases referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 were successful.

Robert Buckland: The number of offenders referred to the Court of Appeal in 2013 and 2014 are set out in the table below. Year20132014Offenders referred to the Court of Appeal79128  The number of offenders whose sentences were considered unduly lenient and whose sentences were increased by the Court of Appeal in 2013 and 2014 are set out in the table below. Year20132014Offenders whose sentences were unduly lenient63109Offenders whose sentence was increased61105 Detailed information on the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme was published on the Attorney General’s Office website on Thursday 11 June 2015. The information can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/attorney-generals-office.

Ministry of Justice

Cremation

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to appoint a National Inspectorate of Crematoriums in England.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the recommendations of the Independent Report into Infant Cremations at the Emstrey Crematorium, Shrewsbury published in May 2015.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report on Infant Cremations at the Emstrey Crematorium, Shrewsbury published in May 2015, what steps he plans to take to develop a single and authoritative code of practice for baby and infant cremations.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the recommendations by the Bonomy Infant Cremation Commission on a national code of practice for baby and infant cremation.

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Independent Report into Infant Cremations at the Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury, published in May 2015, if he will investigate whether the practices that took place at Emstrey Crematorium may have occurred at other locations in the UK.

Caroline Dinenage: What happened at Emstrey Crematorium over the course of more than a decade was totally unacceptable and we deeply sympathise with the parents in these tragic cases. We are clear that this should never happen again. The recommendations of the Independent Report, which took account of the report by the Bonomy Infant Cremation Commission, are receiving careful consideration and the Government will announce its conclusions in due course.

Missing Persons: Guardianship

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when his Department will publish the legislation proposed in its response to its consultation on the Guardianship of the property and affairs of missing persons, published on 23 March 2015.

Dominic Raab: My Department is working to prepare the legislation necessary to create the new legal status of guardian of the property and affairs of a missing person. We are grateful for the continued assistance in this work of the charity, Missing People, and its pro bono lawyers, Clifford Chance. We will bring forward legislation when Parliamentary time allows.

Human Rights: Northern Ireland

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2015 to Question 368, whether the proposed British Bill of Rights will extend to Northern Ireland.

Dominic Raab: We will consider the implications of a Bill of Rights on devolution as we develop our proposals. We will, of course, fully engage with the devolved administrations.

Prisoners: Clothing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the findings were of the research commissioned by the equalities policy lead in his Department into the needs of male and female prisoners to determine whether they are sufficiently different to warrant a different approach on the issue of prison clothing; and if he will place in the Library a copy of that research.

Andrew Selous: The study referred to focused on the extent to which prisoners’ clothing affects their self-esteem. It involved a very small sample of prisoners in one male and one female establishment and there were a number of methodological limitations. Given these, the study has not been through the quality assurance processes that would be required before the National Offender Management Service would disseminate or publish it as a research report. These processes include the need for independent peer review to indicate that publication is appropriate.

Probation: Redundancy

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2015 to Question 900, if he will specify the contract management arrangements in place to ensure that funds put aside for enhanced redundancy schemes following the privatisation of probation services are used for the purposes for which they are provided and how they have operated in practice.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2015 to Question 898, what total amount of money was (a) spent by the Government on enhanced redundancy schemes immediately prior to the letting of probation contracts to Community Rehabilitation Companies and (b) awarded by the Government to Community Rehabilitation Companies for enhanced redundancy schemes following the letting of such contracts.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2015 to Question 902, what discussions (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had with Community Rehabilitation Companies on the possible voluntary return of unused funds put aside for enhanced redundancy schemes following the privatisation of probation services.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2015 to Question 901, what specific pro rata formula was used to determine the amount of money given to each Community Rehabilitation Company for enhanced redundancy schemes following the privatisation of probation services; and what cash amount was awarded to each such company.

Andrew Selous: Under the enhanced voluntary redundancy scheme opened in advance of the transition of the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) to new providers, probation staff were able to apply for voluntary redundancy on the basis that they would leave the service by 31 March 2016. The total cost of these redundancies was £16.4m. All remaining Modernisation Fund monies were awarded to CRCs. Redundancy funding was allocated pro-rata to CRCs based on their size and estimated future staffing requirements. As stated in my answer to questions 900, 898, 902 and 901, we have no plans to reclaim any monies allocated to CRCs from the Modernisation Fund; and consequently there have been no discussions with CRCs about this. Contract Management Teams are embedded in each CRC, closely monitoring how all monies are used and robust processes are in place to ensure all expenditure is correctly spent.

Youth Offending Teams

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2015 to Question 1068, if he will publish the results of his Department's stock-take of youth offending teams.

Andrew Selous: The findings of the stocktake will be published in due course

Scotland Office

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the transfer of further welfare powers to Scotland is accompanied by clear communication and information sharing between the UK and Scottish Governments.

David Mundell: The Government has established the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare with the Scottish Government to ensure a smooth transfer of welfare powers.

Cabinet Office

Cervical Cancer: Young People

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many women under the age of 25 have contracted cervical cancer in each of the last five years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - Cervical Cancer
(PDF Document, 169.94 KB)

Members: Surveillance

Mr David Davis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the contribution of 12 March 2014 by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Official Report, column 307, what discussions the Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster have had about the status of metadata under the Wilson Doctrine; whether metadata is protected under the Wilson Doctrine; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Oliver Letwin: I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the letter to him of 8 July 2014 from the then Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General the Member for Horsham. 



Letter to Member - Wilson's Doctrine
(PDF Document, 33.83 KB)

Cabinet Office: Cost Effectiveness

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the HM Treasury press release, Chancellor announces £4.5 billion of measures to bring down debt, published on 4 June 2015, what efficiency savings his Department plans to make to achieve reductions of £17 million in its budget.

Matthew Hancock: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Manchester Central on 9 June 2015, to UIN: 1251.

Carers: South Yorkshire

Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the number of carers in (a) Barnsley East constituency, (b) Barnsley and (c) South Yorkshire in each of the last five years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



Letter Attachment for Member - Carers
(Word Document, 11.67 KB)




ONS Letter to Member - Carers
(PDF Document, 65.03 KB)

EU Nationals

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many EU nationals aged over 16 lived in the UK in the most recent period for which figures are available; and how many of those have lived in the UK for (a) five, (b) 10, (c) 15 and (d) 20 years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - EU Nationals in UK
(PDF Document, 162.29 KB)

Cancer: South Yorkshire

Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many patients were diagnosed with (a) breast cancer, (b) lung cancer, (c) prostate cancer, (d) bowel cancer and (e) malignant melanoma in (i) Barnsley and (ii) South Yorkshire in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - Death from Cancer
(PDF Document, 110.8 KB)

Business: West Yorkshire

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of businesses registered in (a) Leeds North West constituency, (b) Leeds and (c) West Yorkshire in each of the last five years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - Businesses Registered
(PDF Document, 85.19 KB)

New Businesses

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many start-up businesses have been created in (a) England, (b) Denton and Reddish constituency, (c) Tameside local authority and (d) Stockport local authority since 2010.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - Start up Businesses
(PDF Document, 68.61 KB)

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Gaming Machines: Money Laundering

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate his Department has made of the amount of money is laundered through fixed odds betting terminals in each of the last three years.

Tracey Crouch: [Three licensing objectives in the Gambling Act 2005 underpin the regulation of Gambling in Great Britain. The first licensing objective is "preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime". Consequently] all operators licensed by the Gambling Commission are required - as a condition of their operating licence - to put in place effective systems to identify and prevent criminal spend. The Gambling Commission has dealt with a number of cases of potential money laundering, mainly involving criminal "lifestyle" spend, connected to Category B2 ('FOBT') gaming machines. It has also dealt with some cases involving other forms of gambling including remote betting, non-remote casino and “ticket in ticket out” (TITO) facilities in connection with gaming machines. The Gambling Commission and the Government are continuing to work across the gambling industry to further strengthen processes and procedures to identify and prevent money laundering.

Broadband: Urban Areas

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who selected which towns and cities are eligible for Broadband Connection Vouchers.

Mr Edward Vaizey: DCMS set the eligibility criteria for those cities announced by the Chancellor at the Budget in March. The 50 cities invited to participate were 1) the 22 existing Super Connected cities, 2) cities that applied or were eligible to apply to the Super Connected Cities Programme, and 3) cities already participating in the City Deal programme (or related programme in the home nations).The participating cities set their own intervention areas based on their economic priorities.

Local Broadcasting: Wales

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which projects in Wales have been (a) considered and (b) chosen for local television licences since 2010.

Mr Edward Vaizey: In developing a framework for licensing local television, Ofcom assessed the technical feasibility of transmitting local television services at a number of locations in Wales. Illustrative technical plans were produced for six suitable locations: Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor, Mold, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest. The choice of locations was governed by the position of television transmitter masts and the availability of spectrum at each location. Given these constraints, it is not possible to provide local TV services via terrestrial TV everywhere in Wales – the same situation exists in England Scotland and Northern Ireland.  Ofcom advertised licences for local television services in four locations: Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor and Mold. Ofcom received no expressions of interest from any parties wishing to launch a service in either Haverfordwest or Carmarthen. Licences have been awarded for Cardiff, Swansea and Mold and statements of these licence awards are published on Ofcom’s website. Ofcom decided not to award the local TV licence to the sole bidder for Bangor licence.

Digital Broadcasting: Disability

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with television companies about the digital exclusion of people with sensory loss; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State has not as yet had any meetings with companies specifically about sensory access, but the Government remains committed to seeing an improvement in the provision of access services for video-on-demand (VoD) services and will continue to monitor progress.

Mobile Phones: Republic of Ireland

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department has taken to abolish roaming charges for mobile phone users (a) travelling to and (b) unintentionally connecting to a network based in the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Edward Vaizey: During negotiations on the EU Connected Continent package, the UK has consistently pushed for more and faster reductions to roaming charges, leading as soon as possible to their abolition. The Government believes that roaming charges have no place in a digital single market and the Minister for Culture, Communications & Creative Industries reiterated at the Telecoms Council meeting on Friday 12 June that this should be the last summer when the average consumer pays roaming charges. Ofcom in Northern Ireland has taken an active interest in inadvertent roaming, particularly in border areas and along the north Antrim coast. A consumer guide to Inadvertent Roaming, published in January 2014. See: http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/phone/mobile-phones/mobiles-abroad/inadvertentent-roaming-northern-ireland/

Internet: Advertising

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the mobile and fixed broadband demands of internet advertising; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect of that advertising on network requirements over the current Parliament.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Ofcom's Infrastructure Report looks at the state of the UK's communications infrastructure, its coverage, capacity and reliability. Ofcom is currently carrying out some research to quantify the extent to which mobile network capacity is affecting consumer experience. No assessment has yet been made however of the effect that the growth of internet advertising is having on fixed and mobile network requirements.

Tickets: Sales

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2015 to Question 561, when the independent statutory review of the consumer protection measures in the secondary ticketing market will commence; what funding has been allocated to that review; and what the source of that funding will be.

Tracey Crouch: My Department is working with the Department for Business (BIS) regarding the commencement of the statutory review of the consumer protection measures in the online secondary ticketing market. It will be published within a year of commencement of the relevant aspects of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and presented to Parliament. The review leadership will be announced in due course and it will be funded and resourced jointly between BIS and DCMS.

Cultural Heritage

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Oral Answer of 4 June 2015, Official Report, column 739, when he plans to create a cultural protection fund; and what funding will be allocated to that fund.

Mr Edward Vaizey: My Department is actively considering what further steps can be taken to help protect cultural heritage in areas of particular risk and I am leading discussions across Government to ensure we are taking a joined up approach to cultural protection.

Aerials: Construction

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2015 to Question 563, what the precise location is of each of the four masts; on what date and in which order the masts were built; and how many people are provided with coverage by each of the masts.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The attached table has the information requested.



Table containing requested information 
(Word Document, 12.5 KB)

House of Commons Commission

Parliament: Hearing Impairment

Mr David Winnick: To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will consider what facilities can be made available to hon. Members and staff who are hard of hearing in non-public meetings in rooms on the Estate; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Paul Beresford: A number of meeting rooms on the estate do not currently have any microphone facilities and hence have no induction loops. Low spill induction loop systems would not be practical as the rooms are close together and would pick up easily what is being discussed in the adjacent rooms. Following the hon. Member’s question, officials in the Department of Facilities will work with the House of Commons audiovisual (AV) contractor to provide costings for a solution to address the issue he has raised and will keep the hon. Member informed of progress.

Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance

Neil Gray: To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, how much has been spent on repair, renovation and restoration of the Palace of Westminster in each financial year from 2005 to 2015.

Sir Paul Beresford: The two Houses spent the following amounts on repair, renovation and restoration of the Palace of Westminster in each financial year from 2007/08 to 2014/15. Figures before 2007/08 are not available.2007/08 - £27.6m2008/09 - £18.4m2009/10 - £31.6m2010/11 - £29.2m2011/12 - £29.3m2012/13 - £36.3m2013/14 - £42.2m2014/15 - £48.7m (Provisional, subject to audit)

Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance

Neil Gray: To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, by what process the Commission procures repair and renovation work for the Palace of Westminster.

Neil Gray: To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, what weighting the Commission gives to best value for money in its repairs and renovations procurement policy.

Neil Gray: To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, how the Commission decides when repairs and renovations to the parliamentary estate are required.

Sir Paul Beresford: The process by which repair and renovation of the Palace of Westminster is procured – whether for the purpose of the longer-term Restoration and Renewal Programme, the Medium Term Investment Plan, or otherwise:is shaped by objectives specified in an Outline Business Case produced in accordance with the Treasury Green Book Five Case model;is resolved by a contract awarded through an open and competitive tender procedure that is compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015;takes into consideration whether compliant collaborative procurement options, where available, are a viable option according to the scope of the work;includes a specification and range of award criteria which are representative of, and will be capable of realising, the value-for-money objectives determined by the respective Outline Business Case;may be considered within a higher level Gateway Review Assurance process where considered appropriate.The default position in the Houses’ Procurement Policy is to set evaluation criteria weightings of 70% for price and 30% for quality. We expect these ratios to be applied when procuring repair and renovation works. The House Procurement Policy goes on to provide a waiver process by which a justification and recommendation can be made to vary these weightings according to circumstances and value-for-money considerations specific to a given procurement. A contract that looks to transfer a higher level of responsibility and liability for design to the contractor is a common example of where the balance in weighting may be moved towards quality as a consequence of a waiver application.The need for repairs is determined with reference to a number of factors: condition surveys of the Estate; an annual exercise to prioritise the portfolio of projects; inspections carried out on a quadrennial basis; advice from the House’s Design Authority; and calls to the PED Helpdesk. In particular:A comprehensive condition survey of the Estate was carried out in 2008/09, the results of which fed into a 25-year plan. This survey identified a significant number of defects, the works for which were all priced and given recommended completion dates. These tasks were then packaged minor or major projects and added to the scope of existing works within the 25-year plan.Following on from this comprehensive survey, there is a rolling programme of condition surveys every two years, which similarly identifies defects and further work.An annual exercise is undertaken by senior managers, including the Director General of Facilities and the Finance Director, to assess and prioritise the portfolio of projects in order to inform the Medium Term Investment Plan for the following four-year period. Projects are prioritised, taking the following factors into account:compliance with legislative or contractual requirements;business objectives;mitigation of the risk of failure to services;conservation of the fabric of the buildings.The Medium Term Investment Plan is then considered by the Finance Committee before being approved by the House of Commons Commission.The Palace of Westminster is a Grade 1 listed building, and PED follows best practice by ensuring that an inspection is carried out every four years by the Conservation and Architectural Team. These inspections identify tasks which should be carried out to ensure the fabric of the building is maintained properly.The PED Design Authority, established in 2011, is committed to “ensure consistent standards, value for money, statutory compliance and user satisfaction”. Practically, it concentrates on the lifecycle of the engineering assets, ensuring that initial and replacement capital costs are balanced with the ongoing operating and maintenance costs, and with identified business needs. It acts as a Central Engineering department, and advises on the requirements for works and systems and services across the Parliamentary Estate.PED has a helpdesk system which receives and handles building faults reported by Members, Members’ staff, and staff of the House. These faults are prioritised according to service level agreements.The Director General of Facilities would be happy to brief the hon. Member in more detail, should he wish.

Members: Travel

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2015 to Question 955, what information the Commission holds on the proportion of hon. Members who travelled from their constituency address to the House in (a) less than one, (b) more than one but less than two, (c) more than two but less than three, (d) more than three but less than four and (e) more than four hours in 2009.

Sir Paul Beresford: The House no longer retains specific information about Members’ constituency addresses in 2009, nor has it calculated the journey times from those addresses to the House. However, details of Members’ travel costs by category in that year are available online at mpsexpenses.parliament.uk. In addition there is information about distances of constituencies from Westminster in 2008 in the Members Estimate Committee’s Third Report of 2007–08 (HC 578-II)